A Dubai Duty Free employee convicted of stealing money to cover life-saving surgery for his father lost his appeal and will have to see out his prison term.
“I was an exemplary employee for several years but had no choice since my father urgently needed life-saving surgery,” said the 32-year-old Moroccan to judges at Dubai Criminal Court, which sentenced him to three months in jail.
He appealed the sentence and told Dubai Court of Appeal that he admits to the first mistake he has made in many years of service.
The defendant was arrested as he tried to leave the country from Abu Dhabi Airport.
Prosecutors said that on April 1, he collected money from the section where he works at Dubai Duty Free at Dubai airport.
He then headed to the toilet where he took Dh22,778 of the money before handing the rest to the accountant, where it was all meant to go.
“I only took the amount needed for my father’s surgery, and I wouldn’t have done it if it was not an emergency,” the Moroccan said.
“Every other way in my path was blocked - this was the only thing I could think of to get the money. I am a father of two and I am their only provider, your honour.”
A Dubai Airport security officer received a call from the accountant informing them that the profit from the defendant’s section was missing some cash.
“I checked the cameras and saw the defendant checking the profit then taking it in a bag and heading to the restrooms,” said Egyptian security officer, adding that he then told police.
Police checked the defendant's details and found that he was in Abu Dhabi airport trying to fly to Morocco. He was arrested at the airport and the money never got to his father.
He was fined Dh22,778 and will be deported after serving his prison term.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The biog
Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children
She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career
She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence
Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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