DUBAI // An Emirati who was accused of forging official documents and conning a Canadian businessman was acquitted this morning by the Dubai Criminal Court.
KA, 28, was charged by prosecutors with using forged documents to steal Dh600,000 from the Canadian.
The victim, JA, 67, met the defendant in July 2007 through a friend and both later discussed plans for investments.
KA was alleged to have convinced JA into believing he was capable of getting him the necessary permits to start a company in Dubai for the purposes of marketing the products made in a factory JA owned in Sharjah.
Prosecutors said JA gave money to KA to establish a company.
"I gave him Dh200,000 at the beginning then Dh150,000 and Dh250,000 separately," JA said.
KA provided JA with forged documents allegedly issued by the Ministry of Finance and Dubai Municipality to convince him that he had paid the fees.
"He kept asking for more money but around October I discovered all the receipts were fake when I contacted the Ministry of Finance and Dubai municipality," JA told prosecutors.
"KA insisted the receipts were not fake and promised to return the money but he did not do so. I lodged a complaint against him in Naif Police station," JA said.
A policeman testified that a patrol spotted KA's vehicle and waited for him near the car and when he came he resisted arrest.
Prosecutors said the documents were fake and the defendant was wanted on bounced cheques charges.
salamir@thenational.ae
