Businessman 'kidnapped by bogus police officers'

An Indian businessman was falsely arrested and abducted by two men impersonating police officers who tried to obtain Dh1 million (US$272,000) in cheques from him.

DUBAI // An Indian businessman was falsely arrested, had his house searched and was abducted by two men impersonating police officers who tried to obtain Dh1 million (US$272,000) in cheques from him, a court heard yesterday. A Pakistani business owner, BJ, 35, and Emirati trader SA, 30, allegedly presented themselves as police officers at the home of 37-year-old SS last July. They stole cash and credit cards, threatened SS and kidnapped him, Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance was told. The defendants denied the charges. SS told prosecutors that the men took him to their car after searching his house and demanded the cheques. SS negotiated the payment down to Dh300,000 and guided his abductors to his office, he said.

He gave the defendants three Dh100,000 cheques. Meanwhile, his wife called the police. An officer said BJ was arrested leaving SS's office but SA escaped. BJ was carrying the cheques that SS had written. SA was arrested the next day, with phones belonging to SS and his wife. The men claimed that they were owed Dh300,000 by SS. The trial was adjourned until June 14. @Email:[e-mail]