Suspects in man's detention arrested

Dubai Two men who allegedly forced a man to write a Dh600,000, cheque and transferred the money have been arrested in Kuwait, Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Deputy Dubai Police Chief, said on Tuesday.

Police received a report on April 30 from a hotel in Bur Dubai that an Emirati man was found tied up in his room, according to Brigadier Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department.

The man told police that he had business relations with an Iranian man identified as M.H., 28, who was a middleman in business deals. The two agreed on a deal to be financed by the victim. The Iranian suspect was to import the goods.

The victim said the two suspects, including his business associate, visited him at his hotel room on April 29. They allegedly attacked him, tied him up and threatened to kill him before forcing him to sign a cheque, according to Brig Al Mansouri.

'Do Not Disturb'

After he signed the cheque, the suspect locked the victim in the bathroom before placing a ‘Do Not Disturb' sign on the door and leaving the room.

The second suspect, identified as H.A., allegedly cashed the cheque the next day. The two went to an exchange house and transferred the money to another country, Brig Al Mansouri said.

The victim was locked in the room until the next day when he managed to free himself and call the reception to ask for help, according to Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Humaid Al Merri, Director of the Investigation Section.

The victim told the police all he knew about the first suspect, while the second was identified through an ID submitted at the time of encashing the cheque at the bank.

The authorities in Kuwait were informed immediately, and the two suspects were arrested upon their arrival, Lt Col Al Merri said, adding that the Kuwaiti authorities also revealed that the entire amount was transferred to Kuwait.