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Arab businessman in Dubai falls prey to $170,000 scam

Three African men in Dubai swindled at least $170,000 from an Arab businessman who paid the sum after he was told he had won a $27 million lottery prize.

The man told police he was surfing Facebook at home in his country when he received a message from a person called ‘Peter’ saying he had won the prize and that he had to send money for the sum to be processed and remitted to him.

He said ‘Peter’ told him he had won the money in a draw at an Islamic bank in the UAE and that he must send $21,000 as legal fees plus $27,000 as administrative costs, $43,000 for the release of the funds from the bank and $50,000 other fees.

The man admitted he sent all the money in a bid to get that prize and that he was later asked by Peter to come to Dubai for his prize.

In Dubai, the so-called ‘Peter’ and two accomplices met the Arab at a hotel and asked him to make a final payment before he can receive his prize.

“The man paid them but he never heard from them again… after paying more than $170,000 he reported the three to the police, who arrested them,” the Arabic language daily Emarat Al Youm said.

In court they denied deceiving the businessman but the judge found them guilty and sentenced the three to one year in prison, fined them Dh200,000 and ordered their deportation from the country.

Staff Report

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