Dubai – An Arab man has been handed a one-month jail sentence and fined Dh1,500 by a Dubai court after receiving funds suspected to be linked to fraudulent activity.
However, the Criminal and Misdemeanours Court opted to suspend the prison term for three years, meaning the defendant will only serve jail time if he commits another crime within that period.
The ruling stems from a case dating back to October 2024, when an Arab national fell victim to an online scam involving the sale of fraudulent English language certificates.
According to case files, the victim encountered a fake advertisement on Instagram offering certificates such as IELTS, TOEFL, and EMSAT in exchange for money.
The victim contacted the advertiser using the WhatsApp number listed in the post and agreed to purchase an IELTS certificate for Dh1,500.
He was instructed to transfer the money to a specific bank account. After completing the payment, the victim was repeatedly stalled and ultimately blocked on both Instagram and WhatsApp.
Frustrated and realizing he had been duped, the man filed a formal complaint with Dubai Police. An investigation was launched, during which officers tracked the bank account that had received the funds.
A police officer involved in the case testified that the account belonged to the defendant, who initially denied knowing the victim. However, he admitted to receiving Dh1,500 along with six other similar transfers.
During interrogation, the suspect claimed he had been unaware of the illicit nature of the funds. He told authorities that a friend from his home country had requested he receive and forward the money.
To support his claim, the defendant provided documents showing the friend’s instructions, as well as an official waiver from the victim relinquishing the right to press charges.
The court, while acknowledging the evidence and the victim’s decision to drop charges, found the defendant guilty of handling money suspected to be of illegal origin.
In its judgment, the court said the suspended sentence was warranted given the circumstances and cooperation shown by the defendant.
Legal experts noted that a suspended sentence is a form of conditional leniency, commonly used when mitigating factors are present and the defendant has no significant criminal record.
Authorities continue to warn the public against engaging with uncertified social media advertisements, particularly those involving academic credentials and financial transactions.
“Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated,” said a cybercrime expert. “People should only deal with accredited institutions and never send money to unknown individuals.”
The ruling serves as a reminder that even indirect involvement in fraudulent transactions can result in legal consequences, especially when due diligence is not exercised.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members