Buyer of No. 1 license plate for Dh31m jailed for 3 years in Abu Dhabi

A businessman who convicted of fraud and writing a bad cheque worth Dh31 million to pay for the Abu Dhabi No 1 limited licence plate has had his three-year-jail sentence maintained on appeal.
The 33-year-old Emirati bought the special plate in November 2016 at an auction in Abu Dhabi. 
The Public Funds Prosecution had ordered the detention of the Emirati after organisers of the auction filed a complaint about him issuing a dud cheque after buying the number plate commemorating Abu Dhabi government's golden jubilee.   
Prosecutors charged the man with fraud and issuing a bounced cheque.
During his interrogation, the Emirati admitted to issuing the cheque with full knowledge of his dearth of cash in the bank.
"He said he was planning to re-resell the rare number plate at a profit so he can pay the value of the cheque to the organisers and retain the balance," said a prosecutor.
Authorities however said a person can only resell a number plate bought in an auction after they have paid the full amount. Transactions taking place before payment is made in full is considered illegal.
The Abu Dhabi Misdemeanour Court had earlier sentenced the Emirati man to three years in jail after he was found guilty of fraud and issuing a bounced cheque.
The man challenged the sentence at the Abu Dhabi Court of Appeals which upheld the ruling by the first court.
The auction, which generated Dh99 million, was hosted by Emirates Auction in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Police on November 19, 2016 at Emirates Palace hotel to commemorate the Abu Dhabi Government's Golden Jubilee.
The Emirati beat several bidders for the coveted plate after starting at Dh1 million.He said after the auction that he bought it in honour of the country's rulers, who worked tirelessly to make the UAE No 1 in the world.
He noted that he was willing to pay any amount to get the plate number.The limited-edition golden jubilee plates all feature the number 50 in the top left corner.