Man in Abu Dhabi gets rock for Dh14,700 instead of watch

Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Police warn against unsafe online purchase.

A shopper was recently conned into paying Dh14,700 for what he thought was a famous gold watch brand he 'purchased' after winning the bid on an online auction site. Instead of finding his coveted watch, the victim was surprised to receive a crummy cardboard package containing a small piece of rock.
Lieutenant-Colonel Taher Al Dhaheri, Head of the Organised Crime Combating Section at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Abu Dhabi Police, warned against buying or taking part in unsafe online auctions.
He said: "The incident occurred a while back, but it was publicised specifically due to the growing number of unsafe online purchasing. The Abu Dhabi Police have repeatedly warned against the risks of online shopping to prevent people from falling prey to cyber frauds, and to enhance community education. This falls in line with the Abu Dhabi Police's strategy aimed at enhancing the public's trust in the police institution."
Lt-Col Al Dhaheri noted that the shopper is a manager at an insurance company and had filed a complaint with the Organised Crime Section about receiving the fake package. The cardboard box was completely blank and contained a small piece of rock, instead of the gold watch that he bought in the online auction and paid for with a credit card.
Lt-Col Al Dhaheri called on shoppers to ensure websites are secure before making any purchases. He told them to make a note of the address, telephone number, fax number and any other contact details of the company that they are buying from. Don't just rely on an e-mail address, and buy only from well-known sites, he advised.
He said: "It is preferable to use a special credit card allocated specifically for online shopping with a limited balance, and to keep an electronic and hard copy of the purchase receipt."
He also highlighted the need to quickly report any case of online fraud.
He stressed the police's keenness to raise the society's awareness, in line with the development efforts carried out to improve the policing services provided, and to further spread a sense of security and tranquility by providing preventive solutions. "This embodies the efforts to ensure a safe social environment, provide stability, maintain the safety of society and protect their savings," he said.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi