Al Ain Police warn residents against coffin scammers

ABU DHABI // Al Ain Police have urged caution about phone scammers after a man reported he was conned out of more than Dh27,000 by someone pretending to need help shipping a coffin.

Police said the victim, an Emirati honey seller, transferred the cash after receiving a call from a fraudster who said they had to bring their mother’s coffin from France to the UAE.

According to the victim, A M, the conman said the two were past acquaintances.

It is believed the conman found the victim’s phone number on a social networking site, police said.

The victim told police he became suspicious after the fraudster, who said he would repay the loan, said the money had been transferred to the wrong bank account.

Police have urged people not to respond to suspicious requests over the phone.

“The most important steps fraud victims can take is contact the relevant police authorities as soon as possible to allow them to promptly track the culprits,” said Col Dr Rashid Borshid, head of CID.

“Regardless of whether a crime is committed from abroad, the impact of the activity affects the UAE.

“We are working to combat these crimes through cooperation with Interpol and security in various countries.”