In a significant ruling against digital fraud, the Al Dhafra Court of First Instance in Abu Dhabi has mandated two convicted fraudsters to fully reimburse an Emirati woman they deceived through an elaborate telephone scam. The court’s final judgment, issued on January 8, 2026, brings closure to a case that highlights growing concerns about sophisticated digital financial crimes in the region.
The defendants orchestrated their scheme by impersonating government officials, convincing the victim to download a specific mobile application under false pretenses. Once they gained her trust, they directed her to transfer a total of Dh40,900 to multiple bank accounts. The victim only realized she had been defrauded after completing the transactions.
Court documents reveal that both defendants were already serving criminal sentences in separate cases—one detained at Bur Dubai Detention Center and the other at Al Qusais Detention Center. They had previously received criminal convictions in absentia for acquiring property through fraudulent means, resulting in three-month suspended prison sentences and orders for deportation from the UAE.
During civil proceedings, the court established that the first defendant had illicitly obtained Dh22,500 from the victim, while the second defendant had taken Dh18,409. Neither had returned any portion of the stolen funds, prompting the civil claim for restitution.
The court’s ruling requires both defendants to jointly repay the full Dh40,900 they fraudulently acquired. While the plaintiff had sought additional compensation of Dh9,000 for material and moral damages, the court awarded partial compensation exclusively for material damages, acknowledging the financial harm suffered. The claim for moral damages was rejected due to insufficient evidence of reputational harm.
The judgment also ordered defendants to cover court expenses but denied the plaintiff’s claim for attorney fees since she represented herself throughout the legal proceedings. With no appeals filed, the court’s decision stands as final.