Two arrested for forcing man to sign Dh600,000 cheque

DUBAI // Police have arrested two men for allegedly holding an Emirati man against his will and forcing him to sign a cheque worth Dh600,000.

Police began investigating the incident after they received a report of an Emirati man found tied down in his hotel room in the Bur Dubai area, according to Brigadier Khalil al Mansouri, head of the investigations department.

The victim reportedly told police that he had agreed to meet with an Iranian trade broker, identified as M H, 28, for a business deal. The Emirati man was to fund the deal, while M H would be expected to run the business dealing in exports.

The victim told police that M H and another man attacked him in his hotel room and tied him down, then forced him to sign the cheque with the threat of killing him.

"The surprise factor in the attack made it impossible for the victim to fight them back so they were able to tie him down and locked him inside the bathroom, and then left the room after leaving don't disturb sign," said Brig al Mansouri.

The next day, the second suspect, identified as H A, took the cheque to the bank and cashed it without any problem while the victim was still locked inside the bathroom.

The two suspects then transferred the full amount to Kuwait through an exchange agency.

Meanwhile the victim was able to release himself and called for help.

Lt Col Ahmed al Merri, of the criminal investigation division, said the victim was able to identify the first suspect while the second suspect was identified as he had to provide an identity to cash the cheque.