Police accuse two men of forging US$140,000 in bills

DUBAI // Two men accused of forging US$140,000 worth of $100 notes which were found by police at their home said their housemates may have been responsible but they were not, a Dubai court heard yesterday.

Prosecutors said BD, 24, and MT, 31, both from Cameroon, knew the cash found in their possession was fake. They denied the charges before the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance and said several people lived in the same house and may have forged the money.

BD told the court the money was found in the basement, not their room.

"Please acquit us ... we are innocent," he told the judge.

According to court records, police were tipped off that the men were forging large amounts of money.

Policeman DA told prosecutors that BD and MT were using their home in Al Manama area as a centre for their business.

During a raid on November 1, 2010, police seized a safe and a large bag containing the fake money from the house. Police said they also found some tools used in forgery, including cotton and glue.

The bills seized were all $100 denominations, DA testified.

Two women arrested with the defendants, identified in records as FA and EP, confessed to participating with the defendants in the forgery operation, but they are not being tried with the two men.

The next hearing was scheduled for March 28 for the court to issue its verdict.