Contractor fled UAE with Dh8m without completing work, Dubai court hears

Maintenance company owner took Dh8 million payment from Emirates Post before fleeing the country, hears court.

DUBAI // The managing partner of a maintenance company contracted by Emirates Post to renovate four of its offices fled the country with Dh8 million before completing the work, the Criminal Court heard today.

BH, 46, from Jordan, signed contracts on behalf of Al Hafiz Contracting and General Maintenance to carry out the work at the company's offices in Al Waqan, Al Heer, Al Yahar and Al Qou at a cost of Dh38m within a period of 11 months.

However, after he received the first payment of Dh8m he fled the country, despite having only accomplished 90 per cent of the work.

The man had given Emirates Post letters of credit supposedly worth Dh8m as a guarantee the work would be carried out, but when the company tried to cash them it was told the letters were forged.

Prosecutors said the man left the country on November 5, 2009, and had not returned since. He was charged in absentia with commercial fraud, forgery, use of forged documents and embezzlement.

The next hearing was scheduled for February 18.