LONDON // Three more people have been arrested in connection with the "spot fixing" betting-scam allegations involving Pakistan's international cricketers.
British customs officials said yesterday that two men and a woman, all from the London area, had been questioned about money laundering. They were later released on bail.
The allegations came to light after the British newspaper, the, News of the World, videoed an agent for several of the Pakistan players accepting £150,000 (Dh847,000) in cash and predicting exactly when three no balls would be bowled in last week's Test match against England.
Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif bowled the no balls precisely as the English agent, Mazhar Majeed, had promised.
Gamblers on the "spot betting" markets in the Far East and Indian sub-continent could have made considerable money if they had that information beforehand and wagered on it.
Majeed, 35, was subsequently arrested by Scotland Yard detectives on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers. The money was provided by News International, owners of the paper, and has not been recovered so far.
Authorities also interviewed Asif, Majeed, captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, though he has now been ruled out of the inquiry.
In a statement yesterday, HM Revenue and Customs said the three were arrested Sunday. The agency, rather than police, presumably arrested the three because they are being investigated for money laundering.
Those arrested "included two 35-year-olds - a male and a female - from the Croydon area, and a 49-year-old male from the Wembley area".
The three Pakistani players still under investigation will travel to London today to attend a meeting with officials, including Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Yesterday, Mr Butt and Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan's high commissioner in London, took part in a conference call with sports minister Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani in Islamabad, discussing what the next move should be.
Uk cricket officials have said they do not believe the three implicated Pakistani players should continue playing and Pakistani officials have indicated they agree.
The captain and two bowlers apparently will not participate in the upcoming series of one-day internationals against England. Cricket officials on both sides say they are waiting to see the findings from the police and International Cricket Council (ICC) investigations.
Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the Dubai-base ICC, said yesterday that there would be "some sort of a conclusion" to the investigation by the weekend. A preliminary police report is expected within the next few days.
"Make no mistake, once the process is complete, if any players are found to be guilty, the ICC will ensure that the appropriate punishment is handed out," Mr Lorgat said. "We will not tolerate corruption in this great game."
dsapsted@thenational.ae
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Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
SCHEDULE FOR SHOW COURTS
Centre Court - from 4pm (UAE time)
Angelique Kerber (1) v Irina Falconi
Martin Klizan v Novak Djokovic (2)
Alexandr Dolgopolov v Roger Federer (3)
Court One - from 4pm
Milos Raonic (6) v Jan-Lennard Struff
Karolina Pliskova (3) v Evgeniya Rodina
Dominic Thiem (8) v Vasek Pospisil
Court Two - from 2.30pm
Juan Martin Del Potro (29) v Thanasi Kokkinakis
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Jelena Jankovic
Jeremy Chardy v Tomas Berdych (11)
Ons Jabeur v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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