Duo who embezzled more than Dh6m from UAE bank to see out sentences

Pakistani pair were both jailed for three years after using forged licences, passports and salary certificates to take out loans for people who do not exist.

DUBAI // A bank worker and an accomplice who were each jailed for three years for embezzling more than Dh6 million must complete their sentences.

Dubai Court of Appeals ruled that between 2010 and 2011, S Z, 42, a Pakistani personal loans representative, and his compatriot N S, 30, defrauded the United Arab Bank.

N S forged work licences from the economic development departments in Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain, plus Emirati passports and salary certificates.

He gave the forged documents to S Z, who used them to apply for loans for non-existent people. When the loans were approved, N S paid them into bank accounts opened in the fake names. The value of the loans was Dh6.52m.

The fraud was uncovered when bank staff realised a passport copy attached to a loan application was a forgery.

The audit department checked S Z’s work and discovered five other loan applications had also been forged.

N S appeared in court in April but was not asked to enter a plea.

S Z, who was absent, was found guilty of forging and using forged bank applications, and fraudulently obtaining money from the bank.

Both were jailed for three years and jointly ordered to pay Dh21,000 in compensation to the bank. Both will be deported after serving their prison terms.