Dubai businessman “Abu Sabah,” known for buying plate number 5 for Dh33 million, faces a Dh150 million fine. ARCHIVE

The Dubai Court of Appeal has increased the financial penalty in the high-profile money laundering case against Indian businessman Balwinder Sahani, also known as “Abu Sabah”, and his associates, imposing a Dh150 million joint fine on the defendants. The ruling also upheld the original sentence of five years in jail, an additional Dh500,000 fine, and deportation after serving the prison term. Abu Sabah, known for his extravagant lifestyle and for purchasing the Dubai car plate number “5” for Dh33 million in 2016, was convicted along with 32 others in one of the largest financial crime cases in the UAE. Court records revealed that the defendants ran a sophisticated money laundering network, using shell companies and suspicious international transactions to disguise illegal funds. The case, filed in December 2024 and brought to trial in January 2025, involved a total of 33 accused individuals. Eleven defendants were convicted in absentia and sentenced to five years in prison plus a Dh500,000 fine each, while ten others received one-year jail terms and Dh200,000 fines. Three companies were also fined Dh5 million each. The court ordered the confiscation of proceeds from the crime, as well as electronic devices and phones seized during investigations. The updated ruling makes the defendants jointly liable for the Dh150 million fine, strengthening the financial penalties in the landmark case. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page