Dh500,000 tenancy scam gang arrested, Abu Dhabi Police say

Several victims had lodged reports with police and the amount illegally obtained by the fraudsters amounted to about Dh560,000.

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A gang of real estate fraudsters who exploited people looking to rent accommodation to the tune of more than Dh500,000 have been arrested, police said.

Brigadier Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoun Al Muhairi, director of the Capital Police Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police, said that the gang had fraudulently seized and appropriated the funds of a number of people.

Several victims had lodged reports with police and the amount illegally obtained by the fraudsters amounted to about Dh560,000.

Brig Al Muhairi said the gang would rent villas from owners in return for post-paid cheques and then offer them to tenants at low prices to encourage them to pay the full amount. After receiving the amount and renting the housing unit to a number of people, they would disappear with the tenants' money.

Police said they were tracked down, arrested and have been referred to prosecutors to face charges.