UAE: Man ordered to repay Dh1.4 million he embezzled

Dubai: A European employee who stole Dh1,472,387 from a recruitment company after deceiving his manager into believing he was securing major service contracts has been ordered to repay Dh1.4 million following a civil court ruling in Al Ain.

The man, who worked as a sales coordinator, misled his manager into transferring large sums to his personal account, claiming the funds were needed to finalise recruitment deals with major companies in the UAE. When no contracts materialised and the money was not returned, the manager filed a criminal complaint.

Investigations revealed that the employee had kept the money for himself. He stalled when questioned, offering excuses and failing to provide any proof of the supposed contracts. None of the agreements he promised ever existed.

Dubai Police referred the case to the Public Prosecution, and the Criminal Court convicted him, sentencing him to one month in jail, fining him the full amount stolen, and ordering his deportation.

The defendant appealed, and the Court of Appeal appointed an accounting expert. The expert confirmed the employee received the funds but also identified outstanding salary and dues owed to him. After deductions, the court found he had unlawfully taken Dh870,139. The criminal conviction was upheld, and the fine was adjusted.

Relying on the final criminal judgment, the company and its manager filed a civil lawsuit demanding the return of the remaining funds and compensation. Despite being formally notified, the defendant failed to attend the hearings.

The civil court ruled that the employee’s actions constituted a wrongful act under the Civil Transactions Law, noting that he had breached trust and caused both financial loss and emotional harm. The judge highlighted the psychological impact on the plaintiffs, including loss of confidence and the burden of legal costs.

The court ordered him to pay Dh1,070,139, which includes the stolen amount and Dh200,000 in compensation, plus 5 per cent annual interest from the date the judgment becomes final until full payment. He was also ordered to cover court fees and expenses.