The Dubai Courts. ARCHIVE

Eighteen people of different nationalities have been convicted in a massive embezzlement and money laundering scheme involving Dh185 million stolen from a Dubai law firm. The Dubai Court of First Instance found that the defendants siphoned funds from the firm while leaking sensitive commercial data, forging documents, and setting up bogus companies to conceal their crimes. They laundered the proceeds through three shell companies designed for the scheme. Four defendants were sentenced to three years in prison followed by deportation, while others received one-year jail terms and deportation. Two were fined Dh20,000 each, while three shell firms linked to the crime were fined Dh500,000 each. Four suspects were acquitted due to lack of evidence. Investigations revealed the group posed as the law firm using forged email accounts and counterfeit stationery to deceive clients, diverting payments into their own accounts. Authorities ordered the confiscation of Dh113.65 million worth of assets linked to the laundered proceeds. In a related case, one of the principal defendants was acquitted of a breach of trust charge. The Dubai Court of Appeal has since upheld the convictions. ICA/Expat Media
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