Sharjah firm shuts down, vanishes with 70 buses

Sharjah: Ten rental car companies aim to lodge a complaint with Dubai authoritieson Monday after their client's company closed down and scammed them out of Dh10 million worth of goods.

"We already filed a complaint with Sharjah Police but because we are all based in Dubai, we want the local authorities to also be involved and investigate the matter," said Murad Ahmad, a manager of a rental car company who has leased out 23 buses and is expecting to face a loss of approximately Dh2.5 million.

Ahmad said that all the affected companies will meet to file a complaint with Dubai Municipality and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to seek compensation.

More than 70 buses were collectively leased out on January 5 for a one-year contract to a Sharjah-based transport company, which agreed to use the buses for a Sharjah-based school.

Huge losses

"I leased nine Coaster buses to the transport company, but they did not provide me with the details of who their customer was. When I visited the company last Sunday for the information, I was shocked to find that the office doors were locked and that it was shut down," said Renith C.K., manager of Carill Passenger Transport, who lost Dh1.4 million.

"The company has closed down and none of the employees' mobile phones are working. We are preparing ourselves for huge losses," said C.K.

An official at Al Gharb police station told Gulf News that the UAE national sponsor was detained for questioning but was unable to provide information about the incident.

The Criminal Investigation Department, Anjad and Traffic Police are currently investigating the crime, and are on the look-out for the stolen buses and for two missing company employees who are allegedly involved in the theft.

The case has since been transferred to the Sharjah Public Prosecution.