Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

In a recent ruling by the Abu Dhabi Family and Civil Administrative Cases Court, a man has been fined a total of Dh4,000 for dishonesty after keeping Dh3,000 that another individual dropped at an ATM. The incident occurred when the victim unknowingly left the cash behind during a transaction at an ATM in Abu Dhabi. The accused, who was standing in line, pocketed the money without reporting it to the police. The bank’s investigation led to the suspect’s identification, resulting in a criminal conviction. The victim also filed a separate civil case, demanding compensation for moral damages. The court ruled in his favour, ordering the accused to repay him Dh3,000 and pay a fine of Dh1,000 for dishonesty. Under the UAE Federal Decree Law, individuals who do not report found property to the police within 48 hours could face a fine or a prison sentence. The UAE Public Prosecution has urged residents to report lost items immediately to avoid criminal liability. “Anyone who finds lost or abandoned property must surrender it to authorities within 48 hours,” the statement read. “Failure to do so could result in significant penalties.” The law applies whether the item was found by accident or under extraordinary circumstances, such as a natural disaster. ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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