Duo accused of forging new Dubai number plate

Dubai: Traffic prosecutors are seeking a three-year imprisonment and/or a Dh20,000 fine against two suspects, who forged a newly designed Dubai number plate, fixed it on a car and used it.

A 27-year-old Arab suspect has been accused of counterfeiting a newly designed number plate that he sold to a 21-year-old Gulf national suspect, who was charged with fixing the forged plate on his car and driving it illegally.

“As per the UAE Traffic Law, we are seeking the maximum punishment [maximum three years in jail and/or a minimum fine of Dh20,000] against the two suspects for committing such a serious crime. What they did is deemed an act punishable by law … their crime has negative impacts on traffic safety in Dubai and the UAE,” Prosecutor General and Senior Chief Traffic Prosecutor, Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution, said on Thursday.

According to investigations carried out by senior prosecutor Rashid Al Ghamlasi, the Arab suspect, who runs a car accessories shop, forged the number plate as per the new design and sold it to the 21-year-old suspect.

“A traffic policeman spotted the 21-year-old driving and had suspicions about the number plate. The policeman ordered the suspect to pull over and asked him to show his driving licence and car registration. The GCC national confessed that he had purchased the plate from the Arab national’s shop in Al Mamzar for Dh600,” Bu Farousha said.

During questioning, the 27-year-old shopkeeper confessed he had been selling forged number plates of the new Dubai design for between Dh450 and Dh600 without obtaining permission from the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai.

Traffic prosecutors charged the Arab with forging the number plate and the GCC national for using the forged plate.

The suspects are scheduled to show up before court soon.

“To avoid any legal action being taken against such illegal practices, we call on all motorists and drivers to respect and abide by the pertinent traffic laws,” said Bu Farousha.

The Roads and Transport Authority had introduced the new-look vehicle number plates in December 2014.

The new number plates incorporate the new Dubai Brand logo and can be obtained from the RTA at a cost of Dh420.

The new plates can be applied for through various channels such as www.rta.ae, RTA call centre (8009090), and the smart app Drivers & Vehicles on smartphones.

The plates can be received through customer service centres and service providers, namely, Deira Customer Service Centre, Al Barsha Customer Service Centre, Al Mumayaz at Aswaq Al Mizhar, Al Mumayaz at Aswaq Al Barsha, Quick Technical Testing at Al Ghusais, and Wasel Vehicle Testing Centre at Al Jaddaf.