Sold a UAE Golden Visa that was never delivered, then turned into a criminal when he complained about it.
When a family contacted us with the words “This is a sincere cry for help… we are emotionally and mentally drained”, we knew the case was urgent.
Their nightmare began when the partner applied for a UAE Golden Visa through a man who appeared trustworthy and confident. He promised a smooth process and took the money with ease. But it was all a lie. There was no visa, no process, and no accountability. When they demanded the funds back, he shrugged them off.
In good faith, the victim filed a civil case in an attempt to recover what was stolen, expecting the law to protect him. Instead, he was slapped with a travel ban, his bank accounts frozen, and worst of all, a criminal judgment of one year imprisonment, a million-dirham fine, and deportation. All for trying to get his own money back.
To make matters worse, two lawyers they turned to for help betrayed them: one vanished when needed most, and the other claimed fees without doing any work. What started as a fraud became a spiralling abuse of process, and the system they trusted turned against them.
When they contacted us, they were out of money, out of options, and terrified of what would come next.
Within just two weeks of contacting Detained in Dubai, he was safely back home.
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, commented:
"We're seeing a surge in scams in the UAE, many of them perpetrated by individuals who seem to act with impunity. What’s particularly alarming is the number of Westerners setting up shop and selling immigration or legal services without any qualifications or licence to practise law. They prey on fellow expats who assume they’re legitimate. The UAE needs to crack down on these operators but too often it’s the victims who end up being punished instead."
This case is yet another example of how the UAE’s justice system often punishes victims, not perpetrators. Civil disputes, scams, or visa issues frequently escalate into criminal penalties, travel bans, and even imprisonment.
No one should be imprisoned or deported for trying to recover money they were scammed out of.
At Detained in Dubai, we have seen this story play out far too often but we also know there is always a solution. If you or someone you know is trapped in a similar situation, contact us immediately. Early intervention can make all the difference.
