Watch out for phone SCAM

British expat warns others to beware of a hoax where 'winners' are asked to hand over Dhs2,500

An expat has warned of an elaborate scam in which fraudsters tell their victims they’ve won Dhs500,000 in a prize draw.

The Brit was targeted earlier this week and is concerned some people might fall for the complicated con.

She received a call from a man who told her she was the lucky winner in a raffle. But in a bizarre set of instructions she was then told to buy Dhs2,500 of credit for her Etisalat telephone.

He then asked for the long number on the back of her sim card and was told the Dhs2,500 would be deducted from her credit balance but would be refunded when she collected her windfall.

The woman, whose daughter received a similar call the same day, said: “It was all very specific. I was then to go to the bank next to the clock tower in Deira and ask for a Mr Hammad. I was told he would give me my prize plus the Dhs2,500 back in a cheque. He even gave me a mobile number so I could call him back.

“I was immediately suspicious. You never hand over money to get money. But I’m a bit concerned others might fall for it.” The mobile number given to the woman was switched off yesterday.

A spokesperson for Dubai Police said: “Anyone who receives a call telling them that they have won huge sums of money but is given conditions where they have to spend their own money should report the caller’s number to police or Etisalat to help arrest the criminals.”

“This is not a new type of scam. Many people have been targeted before and we have successfully made arrests. Ninety-nine per cent of those involved in such scams are people from Asia.

“We have made several announcements through the media warning the public not to be tempted by such calls.”

Source: 7days

Dh300 fine for leaving car engine running while parked in Dubai

10% of cars stolen due to owner's neglect

Traffic fines will be imposed on vehicles with a running engine while parked on the side of the road.

According to the traffic law of Dubai the owners will have to pay a fine of Dh300. 

This step has been taken as the number of cars stolen when their engine is running has increased substantially.

Of the total stolen cars in 2011 about ten per cent cars have been stolen when the engine is left in operation while parked on the road side.

The Dubai police have adopted very strict and deterring measures aimed to decline and get rid of such phenomenon.

Brigadier General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Director General Department of Criminal Investigation said, "There are lots of reasons behind the car theft, neglect is the most important reasons where owners leave the car in operation, which makes it easier for thieves robbing them without trouble."

He said, "The stolen car may be a gateway to other crimes such as armed robbery, not to mention disaster resulting from leaving the car running and in case of children inside."

Al Mansouri calls upon the owners and their drivers to stop the engine of their cars even if the stop is for a few minutes.

He said that theft can take place in less than a minute, and cautioned not to leave doors open and to make sure the windows are also closed.

In that regard it is also advisable not to leave behind valuables and important papers in the car that induce thieves to find a way to get them, even by breaking the glass windows.

Study and research show that there are certain areas that are witnessing such phenomenon of stolen cars while in operation such as stores, banks, mosques, petrol stations, restaurants.

Source: Emirates247

Traffic fine relief in Dubai will arrive after holidays

Residents must clear their backlog at one go in order to benefit from the initiative

Dubai: Discounts on traffic fines in Dubai will be accorded approvals after Eid Al Fitr holidays, a senior official said.

Motorists will be entitled to a 30 per cent discount on traffic fines, as announced earlier by Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police.

Lieutenant Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, acting director of the Dubai Police Traffic Department, said drivers with hefty fines against their names stood to benefit from the initiative provided they settled all their outstanding dues in one go and met other conditions to be announced later.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Al Mazroui praised the initiative of giving discounts on traffic fines. "This is considered ‘Eidiyah' for motorists to settle their accumulated fines," he said.

Initial announcement

The announcement about the discounts was first made by Lieutenant General Dahi through his Twitter account.

Dubai Police subsequently announced that discounts on traffic fines in the emirate have been approved by the Executive Council, but the timing and percentage of reductions would be announced later.

According to a ministerial decree issued last year by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, traffic departments in all emirates are allowed to offer a discount of up to 50 per cent on traffic fines.

The Abu Dhabi Traffic Department (including Al Ain and Gharbia) has been giving 50 per cent discounts on traffic fines since June last year.

Regarding Eid preparations in the police department, Lieutenant Colonel Al Mazroui said Dubai Police will distribute Eid greeting cards among the public instead of issuing fines for minor offences as part of their community outreach efforts.

He said police patrols have been intensified across the city, especially at places where crowds are expected, to monitor traffic movements and curb dangerous behaviour.

He called on motorists to abide by traffic rules to help uphold the joyous spirit of the festive season.

Source: Gulf News