Domestic worker in Dubai accused of stealing Dh1m

The Ugandan woman was given a second chance but stole again, court hears

The case was heard at Dubai Criminal Court and a verdict will be announced on February 9. 

A domestic worker was accused of stealing about Dh1 million ($272,300) from her employer despite being given a second chance a few months earlier.

Dubai Criminal Court heard that the Ugandan woman, 26, was caught stealing money from her Lebanese sponsors in March.

But the couple let the worker off after issuing a warning.

"I spoke to her about it and asked her not to steal," the wife said.

The family kept money in their bedroom and locked the door from then on.

The husband unlocked the drawer where they kept the money on September 29 and took out Dh1,000.

Minutes later, the accused went upstairs and returned carrying a plastic bag.

“I was on the phone when she carried the bag outside but I didn’t notice anything wrong,” the husband said.

The accused fled the house the next morning and the couple discovered that about Dh1m worth of dirhams, US dollars and Kuwaiti dinars was missing.

Police tracked her down and arrested her on October 19.

"She admitted stealing the money and handing it to a man who smuggled [the cash] out of the country,” said a police officer.

"He gave her Dh5,500, helped her hide until he could get her out of the country but he couldn't."

The woman denied the charges and a verdict will be delivered on February 9.