Man hacked email to collect firm's money transfers, Dubai court told

DUBAI // An unemployed man hacked into the email of a company manager so that he could collect the firm's money transfers, a court heard today.

Prosecutors told the Criminal Court that the manager of Rameen Spare Parts, the Jordanian EK, became suspicious after going to collect a payment of US$12,000 from a Russian client via the Western Union exchange centre.

"When I checked with the exchange centre they told me I had already collected the money," said the manager. When he insisted that he had not yet collected the money, employees showed him a photo copy of the identification card that was used to pick up the transfer. He pointed out that the picture on the ID card was not him, and informed the police.

He said that whoever picked up the money must have hacked his email, through which he received all data regarding the money transfers from the Russian customer.

Police examined surveillance camera footage from the exchange house and found that KS, a 32-year-old Nigerian, had picked up the money. They then tracked him to an apartment in Sharjah and arrested him. He led them to his accomplice and compatriot SM, 35, who was also arrested and charged.

Both the men were charged with forging official documents, using them to illegally obtain $12,000 and forging the receipts. KS is also charged with overstaying his visa.

Both denied all charges and the next hearing was scheduled for November 21.

salamir@thenational.ae