Dubai Police have foiled an audacious attempt to steal one of the world’s rarest gems — a 21-carat pink diamond valued at $25 million (Dh91.8 million).
The meticulously planned operation, codenamed ‘Pink Diamond’, ended with the swift arrest of three suspects within just eight hours of the crime being reported.
According to the Dubai Media Office, the gang, all of Asian nationality, had spent over a year devising the heist. Their plan unfolded after learning that the diamond, classified as Fancy Intense with the highest purity, had recently arrived in Dubai from Europe.
With a global rarity rate of just 0.01 per cent, the gem is considered among the rarest diamonds in existence.The suspects used fake identities to contact the trader, posing as intermediaries for a wealthy buyer.
To establish credibility, they rented luxury vehicles, booked meetings at five-star hotels, and even brought along a so-called “gem expert” to bolster their deception. Their calculated approach convinced the trader to remove the diamond from secure storage for a private viewing.
The meeting was arranged at a villa, where the suspects attempted to carry out their plan. However, Dubai Police, acting on precise intelligence and coordinated surveillance, intervened before the diamond could be stolen.
The suspects were tracked and arrested in record time, preventing what could have been one of the region’s largest jewelry thefts.
Officials underscored the importance of rapid response and advanced investigative methods that enabled law enforcement to foil the scheme.
“This operation highlights Dubai Police’s readiness and world-class expertise in combating organized crime,” the Dubai Media Office said in a statement posted on X.
The gang’s elaborate measures reflected a high degree of planning and international criminal sophistication. Renting luxury cars and setting up meetings in exclusive venues, they sought to emulate the lifestyle of legitimate high-net-worth buyers. Yet, their efforts collapsed once police intelligence units became involved.
The rare pink diamond has now been returned safely to its rightful owner, a trader whose identity has not been disclosed for security reasons.
Authorities reassured Dubai residents and the international business community that the emirate remains a secure hub for luxury trade and high-value assets.
This foiled heist also sheds light on Dubai’s growing prominence in the global jewelry market, where rare gems and high-value diamonds frequently pass through the city.
Police stressed that the rapid resolution of the case serves as a warning to criminal networks attempting to target the emirate’s thriving luxury sector.
By closing the case within hours, Dubai Police once again demonstrated their efficiency in safeguarding the city’s reputation as one of the safest destinations for global business, tourism, and investment.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members