Realestate Fraud

Another example to how sad and disgusting the property market here has become…

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Crossdressing crime wave

When a ban on men working in women’s shops was announced two months ago, there were concerns that security could be a problem without male guards.

But few could have predicted the move would lead to a cross-dressing crime wave.

On Monday, police arrested seven Afghans whom they accuse of dressing in abayas to rob stores. The men targeted shops staffed only by women, a senior police officer said.

The abayas brought the dual benefit of gaining the men access to women-only shops and disguising their identity to make them harder to catch… SOURCE

“We [had] several complaints of men robbing women shops almost on a daily basis,” the officer said. “The cases were so many that police decided to make a plot to catch the criminals.”

The thieves would usually enter stores staffed by a lone saleswoman and threaten her with a knife. They would take money, clothes and jewellery.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

AUS Enforces Book Fee; Students Angry

Returning American University of Sharjah (AUS) students are in a furore over a new rule that forces them to pay a Dh1,250 fee towards textbooks they may only buy at the institution’s bookstore.

Students say the new initiative, which comes into effect at the end of the month, is an added blow as the university increased fees by 12 per cent for the 2009-2010 academic earlier this year.

However, the university says the new rule was implemented to discourage infringements on international copyright laws.

“It’s a money-stealing scheme,” said AUS student Amnah Haddad. “We are forced to pay this money to buy books only from our bookstore, therefore we students cannot buy second- hand books as we used to.”

A letter recently sent from the university’s Student Accounts Department stated that the rule is an attempt to “abide by international copyright laws which the university must abide by to maintain accreditation”…SOURCE

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Algae causes stink on Palm Jumeirah

A clean-up team has been drafted on to the Palm Jumeirah after complaints from residents about strong-smelling algae collecting along its shoreline.

For the past few weeks tenants living along fronds C and D of the artificial island, where garden homes cost up to Dh12 million (US$3.27m), have complained that the substance has left the area stinking “like sewage”.

Nakheel, the developer of the Palm, confirmed that the algae had been identified at locations around Palm Jumeirah. It said the phenomenon was common in summer, when warmer waters and increased sunlight provided perfect conditions for it to grow.

One resident said: “I don’t like to whinge, particularly with the current climate and with people losing their jobs, but when you pay a lot of money for a property on the Palm you want problems like this to be sorted out… MORE

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Proposed Credit Law is No Substitute for Due Diligence By Banks

It looks more like yet another money making scheme for local firms.

FNC passes credit information draft law

03/10/2009 10:51 PM | By Samir Salama, Associate Editor

Abu Dhabi: A draft law on credit information, which provides for the creation of an independent company that will keep data on every Emirati and expatriate, was passed on Tuesday by Federal National Council.

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said the proposed company provide banks and financing firms licensed by the Central Bank with information concerning the clients applying for loans or credit cards.

He assured the House the company would run its affairs in complete confidentiality…

Ha! I will believe that when I see it.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

‘Witchcraft’ gang swindled Dh20,000 from victims

Abu Dhabi Police have arrested a five-member gang of professional beggars who allegedly swindled more than Dh20, 000 from victims through begging and practising what was described as witchcraft.

Police said the gang consisted of two married Arab couples and a woman, aged 23 to 33, who used their children, aged two to 10, to attract the sympathy of their targets. The gang’s members have confessed to their crimes, police said, adding the gang transferred the Dh20,000 out of the UAE. One of the gang’s members had entered the UAE illegally, police said.Police learned of the gang while investigating a complaint made by an Emirati woman to an FM radio station… According to police, the women would wait outside jewellery and women’s clothing stores and offer palm-reading services. Lt Col Hanai said their usual tactic was to tell their targets that they were under a spell that needed to be removed. They would demand large amounts of money to do it.

Police said the gang members would also enter shops and work in teams of two to get money from shoppers. One person distracted a shopper by showing them an item and then another would beg for money. One would then take the shopper’s money while they were distracted.

Police said the accused also went to hospitals where they would pretend to be sick and tell people they had lost their health cards. The gang members would ask for money and then attempt the palm-reading scam…SOURCE

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Dubai Moves to Rein In Defaulting Developers

Property developers now cannot take the liberty of cancelling building contracts and fleeing the country with the investors’ money, as the Dubai Land Department has put in place a raft of laws to safeguard the interests of buyers of off-plan developments.

The move came in the wake of a sudden rise in cases of fraud in which developers sold units in off-plan developments and fled the country without implementing projects.

Mohammed Sultan Thani, Deputy Director-General of the Land Department, said: “We are dealing with a lot of fraud cases. The police have also been involved. However, many times developers simply can’t get the financing to build the project. I suppose it’s just bad luck in those cases.”

Previously, developers have not had to register off-plan developments with the Land Department. However, Law 13 introduced in August last year has meant that registration has become a legal necessity.

“Those who don’t register their properties are violating a law and can be prosecuted,” said Thani.

Law 13 states that all developments must have been registered by the deadline of October 30, 2008, otherwise they can face legal action.

Thani said that so far 90 per cent of developers have registered and a Land Department team are calling around developers and asking them to register all of their sale and purchase agreements. However, none have been prosecuted so far.

“We don’t want to prosecute people straight away. In many cases, they don’t know they have to register,” he said. “However, if they are not willing to register, we can prosecute.”…SOURCE

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Thieves Strike Hatta Pools

Thieves are breaking into cars and stealing tourists’ cash and belongings at the popular Hatta Pools. Police have warned visitors to be vigilant as they are easy targets for the thieves, who are difficult to catch because they strike in such isolated spots.

On Friday, three 4×4s were broken into and robbed of Dh5,000 (US$1,360) in cash and two digital cameras worth a total of Dh4,500.

The owners of one of the vehicles, Maggie and Roger Jepson, from Britain, said they were extremely upset and wanted their experience to serve as a warning to others.

“Apart from losing the cameras and money I have now lost my trust,” Mrs Jepson said.

“I’ve been living in the UAE for years and back in the 1970s I didn’t even lock my car. Obviously I am more careful now but something like this could happen to anyone.”

Mr and Mrs Jepson drove to the Hatta Pools after a day of wadi bashing in the nearby Hajar mountains with their friends, Margaret and David Fell, also from Britain. They parked at the end of the track and hid their valuables, then locked the cars.

When they returned 30 minutes later, the cars were still locked and bags zipped up where they left them, but they soon found the camera cases were empty and their wallets had been picked…SOURCE

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Mass Healthcare Confusion Coming For Dubai Expatriates: Guidelines for new health system unclear, say doctors

Doctors have expressed concern about the new health funding system which comes into force in Dubai on Thursday, saying they do not have enough details about the scheme.

From today, patients need to register with outpatient clinics, who will receive a set fee from the Government to offer free basic health care. Employers will pay for the cost of the registration.

But doctors say they do not have enough information from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to know what they should be doing in preparation or what services they need to offer.

Dr Sanjay Paithankar, who runs 10 clinics in the UAE, said the health authority needed to make clear what was included in basic health cover.

According to the DHA, cover will differ from clinic to clinic depending on the patients enrolled – what may be a basic requirement to one patient may be completely unnecessary for another.

Dr Paithankar said many employers were unhappy with the new rules because they would now pay more to the DHA than they previously paid to an insurance company for a basic package.

“Employers always want to save money,” he said. “They will make their employees register with the cheapest clinic, regardless of location, even if the employers do not actually have to pay for treatment.”…SOURCE

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The Oath Returns to the Camel Festival

AL GHARBIA – The camel, also called the ‘ship of the desert,’ has been, and will always be the companion of the Bedouin in the deserts.

No wonder the Al Dhafra camel pageant this week has attracted a large number of residents and tourists to the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, where it is being held.

With the changing times, the camel’s role has changed too. However, it continues to be a source of income and can generate huge amounts of money for many.

“Here you are, touching a camel that has fetched millions dirhams. It’s so exciting to see these camels being treated like queens, craning their heads in pride and arrogance — it is absolutely impressive,” said Helen Richard, a visitor from the US to the camel show.

“I decided to attend the event, and see for myself how a man could pay millions of dirhams to have a female camel.

“I thought this was a figment of imagination, but, as seeing is believing, I discovered the truth, when I found how the breeders and owners love and adorn their camels.”

Jack Dew from Canada almost echoed Helen’s words, saying that the place took a festive look, and everybody looked happy. “People here are helpful, and unlike in many other places in the world, you get what you want,” he said.

Laila, a Malaysian, was fascinated when she heard about the festival and travelled from Dubai.

“I became curious to attend the festival, after reading about it,” she said.

“I was eager to find out the reasons; why these people are interested and are very much concerned about camels — I found they were different from other camels.”

The owner of the camels taking part in the festival, should personally present, and stand in front of his camels, and say loudly before the audience: “I swear in the name of the Almighty Allah, that the cow (female) or the bull (male), is mine, or belongs to my legitimate inheritors.”…SOURCE

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Cheers to the CID For Catching the Credit Card Gang That Has Caused All the Problems Over Recent Months

Way to go!

Gang arrested for swindling Dh223m using stolen credit card information

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/12/16/10267633.html

12/16/2008 09:01 AM | Staff Report

Dubai: Police have arrested a gang of four who swindled more than Dh223 million by stealing credit card information used in online transactions and withdrawing money from the accounts of the owners, police said on Monday.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had received information in July this year that a gang of Arab men were stealing credit card information from people making online transactions on websites that offer government and semi-government services, and purchasing online from some shops.

After monitoring and collecting evidence, the CID teams then raided the gang’s den and arrest them red-handed with the devices they were using to carry out their operations.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

More Emirates ID Drama: Expatriate Families say ID Cards an Expensive Affair

Once again, EIDA has failed the public relations test of getting the information out as to the advantages of having an ID card.  No one is going to want it if it is seen as a fruitless exercise in bureaucracy.  Given all of the problems, I would politely suggest EIDA might want to put the card plans on hold and re-boot the entire operation in 6 months.

Many expatriate families in the UAE find it an expensive affair to obtain the National ID cards, saying the expense incurred is an additional burden on their family budget.

While the charges for ID cards are Dh100 for nationals, expatriates have to pay Dh100 for each year of their visa validity. For children the fee is Dh 50.

“I am living in Sharjah with wife and three children and the visa validity for us is for two years. I have to pay Dh700 for the ID card for two years and Dh200 for the application form from the Emirates Post. This is a lot of money for us as we all are struggling with the escalating cost of living,” said Pradeep Nair, working as an accountant in Dubai.

Nicci Lauren, a British expatriate, said they had to pay Dh1,200 for the ID card for the family and Dh200 for application form…SOURCE

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Threats to President-elect at all time high

It was inevitable wasn’t it, but alarming none the less.

An AP report says:

Threats against a new president historically spike right after an election, but from Maine to Idaho, law enforcement officials are seeing more against Barack Obama than ever before.

…law enforcement officials have seen more potentially threatening writings, Internet postings and other activity directed at Obama than has been seen with any past president-elect…

And I suppose they think this is all good fun. Or something more sinister?

Earlier this week, the Secret Service looked into the case of a sign posted on a tree in Vay, Idaho, with Obama’s name and the offer of a “free public hanging.”

The sign solicited $1 (Dh3.67) entries into “The Osama Obama Shotgun Pool,” saying the money would go to the person picking the date closest to when Obama would be attacked. “Let’s hope we have a winner,” said the sign, since taken down.

Not what I’d call a healthy society.

You can read the report here.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The Maid’s Tale

A domestic worker in Dubai, “Jane”, has given a testimony of her job and life. It’s republished below, slightly edited for punctuation:

“Hi.. I worked in JUMEIRA as a DH.. for 4 years and 5 months.. to a good arab family.. I dont have any comments for them because they are so good to me. They don’t look at me as a maid but as a sister to them.. but some of the agencies are taking for granted about the salary.. they get some extra.. which is.. that extra is a big help for our family.

“Mostly, the problem with arab people are being a LAZY. Machines will sometimes not function or shutdown reading all the datas, how much more the human?”

Comments

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!