Man obtains car with fake bank transfer, incurs Dh10,000 in fines

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court has ordered a young man to pay more than Dh22,000 in fines and compensation after defrauding a car owner and committing multiple traffic offences while in possession of the vehicle.

The court ruled that the defendant must pay Dh12,500 to the plaintiff for misuse of the car and related damages, in addition to Dh10,200 in traffic fines incurred after obtaining the vehicle.

The case began when the plaintiff, who was selling his car for Dh15,000, was approached by the defendant posing as another individual. Court records show the defendant sent a forged bank transfer receipt, making it appear as though the payment had been made. Believing the transfer was genuine, the seller handed over the car, only to later discover the fraud and that the vehicle had been used to commit serious traffic violations, leading to it being impounded.

The defendant had already been convicted in criminal court of fraud and unlawful possession of another’s property.

A technical report submitted to the civil court estimated Dh4,000 in damages from improper use, Dh500 for releasing the car from impound, Dh5,000 for loss of use during wrongful possession, and Dh3,000 for emotional distress.

However, the court rejected the plaintiff’s claim for Dh15,000 as the vehicle’s sale price, ruling that legal ownership remained with him and that no valid sales contract existed.

The defendant remains liable for the fines and compensation but not for purchasing the vehicle.