A bungling security guard who was coaxed into stealing Dh5 million in cash by a friend has been locked up for seven years - along with his female partner in crime.
The Transguard Group worker was convinced by the woman to steal one of the money bags he collected from the company where she worked, a court heard.
The 39-year-old guard, from Kenya, agreed to split the lucrative haul with his countrywoman.
On March 3 this year, the man stole a bag containing Dh5.09 milion before getting three taxis to meet his accomplice, also from Kenya, at a car park in Deira City Centre.
She took Dhs3 million from the bag and gave him the rest, telling him she was leaving the country that day.
The man, not knowing what to do with his share, kept it with his flatmate and then asked him to move to a flat in Sharjah in order to keep a low profile away from police.
But the flatmate fled the country with the bulk of the guard's share of the cash.
“I visited him every day and the money was still safe, but 10 days later I went and didn't find him, I only found Dh200,000 left while the rest was gone. I heard he fled the country,” the defendant said in records.
When the guard was arrested, after being reported by his employer, police found that he had curtains, shoes, clothes and other items that he bought and was planning to ship to his wife.
He was convicted of embezzlement and causing financial damages.
The woman, who remains at large, was convicted of aiding and abetting by inciting the man to embezzle cash.
The flatmate, 30, also from Kenya and still at large, was convicted of theft and possessing stolen money.
All three were given seven year jail terms, two of the deferndants in their absence.
The guard and the woman were additionally fined a total of Dh5m and ordered to repay Dh4m to the company.
All three will be deported after serving their sentences.
