Three men who stole Dh500,000 from Emirati and threatened to use Taser jailed for three years

Men posed as gold merchants and police officers to steal the money

The man purchased gold but was then robbed. Pawan Singh / The National

Three conmen who stole half a million dirhams from an Emirati businessman in a gold scam were jailed for three years.

Dubai Criminal Court was told the Emirati wanted to buy gold and was introduced to a fake merchant.

The businessman and his friend met the conman at an office in the Al Muraqqabat area last December.

He bought six gold bars from the 31-year-old Senegalese man and paid him Dh457,000.

Minutes later, the two other defendants – an Emirati, 36, and an Indian, 34 – stormed into the office posing as police officers.

They threatened to use a Taser against the victim and his friend, then stole the money and the gold before locking the buyers inside and escaping.

The pair managed to free themselves and called police.

The three men denied charges of theft and confinement of others but on Tuesday were each sentenced to three years in prison.

They were additionally fined Dh457,000 and will be deported after their sentence.