Woman Defrauded of Dh78,000 by Fake Recruitment Agent Offering Dream Job

A young woman from Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi, fell victim to a fraudulent job offer, losing Dh78,000 to a man posing as a recruitment agent. The scam promised her a prestigious position with an attractive salary. The court has since ordered the man to repay the stolen amount and cover the victim’s legal expenses.

Background: Rising Threat of Job Scams

Online job scams have become increasingly prevalent, exploiting the hopes of job seekers by offering lucrative positions in exchange for fees. In this case, the victim encountered the fake job advertisement on a well-known website. The ad claimed to offer opportunities in a prestigious programme, targeting individuals seeking professional advancement.

Details of the Fraud

The victim contacted the advertiser, who posed as a legitimate recruitment agent. He convinced her to transfer Dh78,000, claiming the funds were required for employment processing and investments in a platform related to the job. Trusting his assurances, she made the payments, only to later discover his deceitful intentions.

Legal Proceedings

Realizing she had been defrauded, the woman filed a lawsuit against the man at the Al Dhafra Court of First Instance. The court found the defendant guilty of fraud, citing his use of deceptive methods and false representation as a recruitment agent to extract money from the victim.

The court ruled that the defendant must:

• Repay the Dh78,000 taken from the plaintiff.

• Pay 12% legal interest on the amount from the date of the claim.

• Cover all court fees and legal expenses incurred by the plaintiff.

Implications and Warnings

This case underscores the importance of vigilance when responding to online job advertisements. Authorities frequently advise job seekers to verify the authenticity of recruitment agents and job offers, especially when financial transactions are involved.

The UAE courts have consistently demonstrated their commitment to protecting victims of fraud and ensuring justice in such cases.

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