Court Orders Return of Dhs35,000 to Al Ain Man in Currency Exchange Scam

The Al Ain Civil, Commercial and Administrative Cases Court has ordered several individuals to return Dhs35,000 and pay an additional Dhs4,000 in compensation to a man defrauded through fraudulent currency exchange advertisements.

The defendants had posted fake ads offering to exchange UAE dirhams for other currencies at attractive rates. Following the scam, the victim filed a civil lawsuit seeking the return of his Dhs35,000 along with Dhs4,000 in compensation for the losses and damages incurred. He also requested that the defendants be ordered to cover all related fees and expenses.

The plaintiff explained that the defendants had seized his money through deceit and refused to return it, despite already being convicted of fraud in a criminal case. Their refusal caused him financial loss and psychological distress, prompting the civil claim.

The court noted that the defendants neither returned the seized amount nor appeared in court, in person or through legal representation, to defend themselves or present any evidence of innocence. This absence reinforced the plaintiff’s claim.

The court ruled that the defendants’ actions caused both material and moral harm, including the plaintiff’s inability to use the seized funds and the emotional distress resulting from their deliberate inaction. Establishing a clear causal link between the defendants’ error and the harm suffered, the court held them legally responsible and set the compensation at Dhs4,000.