UAE police warn over rise of fake officers

Sharjah Police have recorded 20 reports of people impersonating cops in six months

Dubai Police unveils new uniform and gears. Courtesy Dubai Police
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Men posing as cops to steal, scam and rape have been on the rise in Sharjah, police have warned.

They mostly target victims in industrial areas where labourers are found. Police said the fake cops threaten to deport their victims if they do not abide by their orders.

They also lured illegal immigrants into paying them money, claiming they can give them legal residency. Domestic workers were also targeted, being subject to rape or forcing them into prostitution.

During the period between January and June, police said 20 such cases have been reported, out of which 80 per cent occurred in industrial areas.

The incidents always occurred late at night and targeted people who were wandering around on their own.

They carried forged ID cards with their pictures on them. Sharjah Police warned the penalty for posing as police or any uniformed public official can face up to five years in prison.

They urged the public to be confident and insist on seeing IDs from anyone presenting themselves as police.

Dubai and Sharjah courts have seen a slew of cases involving the impersonation of officers in recent years.

Speaking earlier this year during an awareness campaign, a spokesman urged the public to be confident and insist on seeing IDs from anyone presenting themselves as police.

“They take advantage of these people’s lack of knowledge of the Arabic language, and make them believe they were real officers of the law," he said.

"They ask them for their belongings, mainly wallets, then take whatever cash they find.

“Real police officers would only, as per law, ask for an identification card, a driving licence and a vehicle registration card - and would not under any circumstance ask a person for his belongings."

Al Roeya is the Arabic language sister newspaper of The National