Dh195,241 phone bill shocked Etisalat customer after conman struck, court told

Iranian businessmen returned from holiday to find his business lines had been disconnected.

DUBAI // A man rang up a Dh195,000 phone bill after obtaining Sim cards in someone else’s name, a court heard today.

Afghanistani S?T, 32, illegally obtained four Etisalat Sim cards with the help of another man, prosecutors told Dubai Criminal Court.

He was arrested after Iranian M?Z, 30, returned from a holiday in his home country to find his company’s fax and telephone lines had been cut off because of unpaid bills.

“I called Etisalat to inquire and they told me I have Dh195,241 in unpaid bills,” the Iranian said. “I told them it was impossible because I pay monthly, even if I was outside the country.”

The businessman was told he had applied for four new lines which had unpaid bills. When shown the application forms and supporting documents, it was discovered they were forgeries.

Police investigated and arrested the Afghanistani. He has been charged with aiding and abetting a second man, who has yet to be detained, to forge official documents, forging documents, forging a company’s stamp, using the forged documents and stamp, illegally obtaining four Sim cards, and causing losses to Etisalat by using the cards.

He was not in court to enter a plea. The next hearing will be on September 2.