Fake US$100 note used for candy purchase, court hears

DUBAI // A 29-year-old visitor tried to use a fake US$100 note to buy Dh2.50 worth of sweets from a supermarket last year, a court heard this morning.

The suspect EF, from Nigeria, allegedly presented the fake note to a clerk at Joys Super Market about 9.30pm on December 24, records show.

SB, the 26-year-old Indian clerk at the shop in Al Mankhoul, told prosecutors he immediately knew the money was fake.

SB said that the touch and weight of the cash were very different from those of genuine notes, and that he asked his friends at the shop to restrain EF until police arrived, said the records.

He also said that when he confronted EF, the defendant became tense and was looking out the door to see whether he could run away, records show.

The suspect also tried to persuade SB not to call the police, saying he could pay in dirhams, SB said. SB refused the money, records say.

EF told prosecutors he did not know the note was fake.

A verdict is expected on March 8.

salamir@thenational.ae