DUBAI // Two men have been charged with fraud after advertising a 2001 Mercedes-Benz as a 2010 model and selling the car for Dh195,000.
The car’s owner, a 28-year-old from Yemen, and a 42-year-old Pakistani used forged documents to sell the Mercedes GL500.
Dubai Criminal Court was told the Yemeni posted an advert online for the car stating it was a 2010 model. A 58-year-old man from Saudi Arabia responded to the ad and agreed to buy the luxury SUV in cash.
The defendants forged documents for a clearance permit on the Dubai Customs website. The Yemeni also used forged documents to obtain an ownership certificate from the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority for when the car was imported into the country.
“I came to the UAE and paid him. I took the car to a vehicle testing centre in Al Qusais and paid the Yemeni owner,” said the Saudi buyer.
When he returned home, the man discovered the car was nine years older than he was led to believe and only worth Dh50,000. He also discovered some parts of the vehicle, including the speedometer and a window, had been fixed into position using wires.
In Dubai Criminal Court, the Pakistani denied a charge of fraud, forgery and use of forged documents. He told the court that it was a typing a error and not a forgery.
The Yemeni did not appear and the next hearing was set for December 29.
tzriqat@thenational.ae