Latest news about crime and security in the U.A.E. Information about the black market is collected from international organizations, intelligence reports, national security agencies and news articles.
Loan sharks in the United Arab Emirates charge borrowers up to 120 percent in interest rate per month.
The loans are primarily lent to Asian communities in the country, and are known as “the blade” due to the stranglehold that the lender has on the borrower.
Source: “Victims of loan sharks told to ‘forget fear’ and report crimes to police,” 7 Days in Dubai, March 18, 2013.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare stated that it found 796 advertisements for live animals on the Internet during a four week time period. The 11 websites were offering big cats such as cheetahs, cougars, jaguars leopards Siberian tigers and Bengal tigers. The sellers claimed that the cubs are all “home-raised” and “accustomed to children”.
The animals were being sold for $217 (800 UAE Dirham).
(More endangered animals prices here.)
Source: Collin Simpson, “Illegal wildlife trade is thriving on UAE websites,” National, February 12, 2013.
A professional executive search consultant in Dubai reported to the media that there is an increase in resumes filled with fake degrees and diplomas.
The head hunter stated that fake degrees are sold for up to $8,167 (30,000 UAE Dirham). The forgers fill out the grade point average, the degree and the year it was obtained based on the customer’s request.
Source: Amanda Fisher, “Faking their way to the top,” Khaleej Times, January 22, 2013.
Police in Dubai reported that it investigated 24 cases of human trafficking within the emirate in 2012. In 2011, police also investigated 24 cases, and in 2010 investigated 35 cases.
58 percent of the victims in 2012 were trafficked to Dubai from developing countries, according to police.
Between 2008 to 2012, women from Bangladesh who were forced to work as housemaids were the most identified victims of human trafficking in Dubai.
Source: Bassma Al Jandaly, “Police log 24 human trafficking cases in 2012,” gulfnews, December 30, 2012.
Police in Abu Dhabi reported that between 2009 to 2012, around 1,700 cases of counterfeits and fraud have been refereed to the criminal court system in the Wmirate.
The criminal cases involved counterfeit passports, faking signatures and forging documents and certificates.
Source: Nada AlTaher, “1,700 cases of fraud and counterfeiting reported in Abu Dhabi,” gulf news, November 19, 2012.
From 2011 to October 2012, authorities in the United Arab Emirates has seized over 2 million counterfeit HP supplies in the country.
Across the entire Europe, Middle East and Africa region, HP has seized nearly 8 million counterfeit products and supplies.
Source: “UAE raises pressure on counterfeiters, apprehends repeat offender of fake supplies for HP printers,” AMEinfo.com, October 17, 2012.
During the months of January 2012 to May 2012, authorities in Dubai confiscated 30,000 counterfeit auto parts in the country.
According to a study by the Brand Owners Protection Group, counterfeit auto parts account for almost 70 percent of all fake goods in the United Arab Emirates.
The counterfeit goods market in the United Arab Emirates is estimated to be worth $755 Million.
Source: Nadeen El Ajou, “First half of 2012 sees 30,000 counterfeit automotive parts seized in Dubai,” AMEinfo, June 19, 2012.
According to Custom Officials from the United Arab Emirates, between 5 to 10 people are caught attempting to be smuggled into Saudi Arabia every day. The human smugglers often attempt to stow away in trucks as the vehicles enter Saudi Arabia.
Source: Marie-Louise Olson, “People smuggling at Saudi border,” National, April 7, 2012.
The number of human trafficking cases handled by police in Dubai dropped by nearly 50 percent in 2011.
Authorities investigated 16 human trafficking cases that involved 48 suspected traffickers and 32 female victims in 2011.
In 2010, there were 35 cases of human trafficking investigated, with 109 suspected defendants and 76 female victims.
Source: “Human trafficking cases down in Dubai,” Emirates 24/7, January 2, 2012.
Between 2007 and 2010, there has been a rise of human trafficking court cases in the United Arab Emirates each year.
In 2007, there were 10 human trafficking cases, which increased to 20 in 2008, 43 in 2009, and 42 in 2010.
Source: Iman Sherif, “UAE cracks down on human trafficking,” gulfnews, December 13, 2011.
