Abu Dhabi police arrest two trying to sell fake antiques

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Police recently arrested two Arabs who were trying to sell two fake antiques for Dh3.2 million.

The duo were trying to sell the "antiques", claiming that the artifacts, carved out of stone, dated back to 500 BC, said a statement issued by the police on Saturday.

After receiving a tip-off that two people were trying to sell antiques worth millions, the police sent a decoy customer to them.

Showing the artifacts carved out of stones, the sellers demanded Dh4 million as a price for them.

After the decoy customer negotiated the price and agreed at Dh3.2 million, the police arrested the two men for the illegal trading of antiques, said Brig. Hammad Ahmad Al Hammadi, Director of Criminal Investigation Department in Abu Dhabi Police.

The police took the antiques into custody.

During the interrogations, MSS, 55, revealed that he worked as a cook and he got the antiques from the belongings of a friend who left the UAE and later died in his home country. MSS said he contacted the wife of the deceased and promised her that he will sell the antiques and send her the price.

His accomplice AAA, 44, a construction worker, said he was trying to help MSS who promised him a commission from the deal.

The police took the antiques to Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and its experts found that the antiques were fake.

The official said the antiques are protected by international law .

Brig. Al Hammadi said the UAE is committed to the international law which prohibits illegal trading of antiques. The official warned the public not to deal with people offering to sell antiques but report them to the police.