Office manager jailed for five years over Dh17m theft

The Jordanian man, 46, stole the cash over four years

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An office manager has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of stealing Dh17.5 million from his employer.

Dubai Criminal Court heard how the Jordanian man, 46, used forged documents to set up an online bank account to receive the cash over four years.

Prosecutors claimed the defendant worked in partnership with an Indian banker, 39, to steal the money, but he was later acquitted at trial.

The theft by the office manager was only discovered after he was investigated for a separate possible embezzlement offence.

“During an internal investigation we had all the bank accounts audited and we discovered this case,” the defendant’s employer said.

“His responsibilities included contacting the [bank] account holder when any irregularities were discovered but he instead facilitated the fraud and covered it up.”

In court last September, the office manager denied charges of forgery and fraudulently obtaining Dh17.5m.

He was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to be deported after completing his term.