Businessman robbed after being promised massage



A woman has been accused of promising a tourist a massage and then locking him up and stealing his money.

Dubai Criminal Court heard how the incident happened on March 1 after the 29-year-old businessman from Tajikistan arrived in Dubai on a business trip.

“I went to Naif area to buy electronic devices but the salesman asked me to wait for two hours while my order was prepared,” the man told the hearing.

He said he was then offered a massage by a Ugandan woman, 26, while he killed time.

“We agreed on a Dh10 massage session and so I walked with her,” he said.

“She started massaging me but I didn’t like it so I pushed her away and managed to put on my trousers before two other women stormed in and attacked me.”

The man claimed he was restrained on the bed and robbed of Dh5,400 as well as $8,800 (Dh32,000).

He quickly managed to escape, however, and chased the three women as they fled down a street.

A policeman patrolling the area witnessed the chase and managed to arrest one of the women.

“I arrested the woman,” the officer said. “[The man] said she stole from him but she denied it saying two other women did it.”

The defendant was charged with theft and prostitution, which she admitted in court. The two other women remain at large.
A verdict in her case is expected on June 30.

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

How Filipinos in the UAE invest

A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.

Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).

Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.