Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The Dubai Court of Appeal has upheld a Dh1,000 fine imposed on an Arab man convicted of fraudulently swindling the same amount from an unsuspecting buyer in an Instagram mobile phone scam. The case dates back to July last year when the victim, also an Arab national, reported to Dubai Police that he had been defrauded after attempting to purchase a phone advertised on Instagram. According to the victim’s testimony, he was lured by a social media ad offering a mobile phone for Dh5,000, payable in installments over four months. The seller, later identified as the defendant, requested an initial down payment of Dh1,000 before delivering the device. "I transferred the amount, expecting the phone to be delivered immediately," the victim told investigators. "However, after making the payment, I never received the phone, and the seller blocked me." Authorities traced the transaction and arrested the bank account holder, who initially denied any involvement in the fraud. During interrogation, the suspect claimed he had been unwittingly recruited by an unknown individual who offered him a "job" to receive and transfer funds through cryptocurrency accounts. Despite his claims of innocence, the Dubai Court of First Instance ruled against the defendant, imposing a Dh1,000 fine—the same amount he fraudulently obtained. The Court of Appeal upheld the verdict. ICA/Expat Media
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