The defendant did not attend the hearing, as he is serving a sentence in another emirate related to a different case.
A man currently serving a prison sentence has been ordered by an Abu Dhabi court to repay Dh150,000 obtained through fraud and to pay Dh10,000 in compensation to the victim.
The case was brought before the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court after the victim filed a civil lawsuit seeking the return of the money he claimed was taken from him through deceptive means, as well as compensation for the resulting damages.
According to court records, the plaintiff stated that the defendant had fraudulently obtained Dh150,000 from him. He added that the accused had already been convicted in a criminal case linked to the same incident, prompting him to file a civil claim to recover the amount and seek Dh10,000 in compensation.
During the proceedings, the defendant did not appear in court, as he is currently serving a prison sentence in another emirate in connection with a separate case. Instead, his wife attended the hearing, submitting a power of attorney authorising her to represent him.
In her written defence, she requested that the court dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the claim lacked legal basis and supporting evidence. She also sought dismissal on procedural grounds, claiming the case had been filed against a party without proper standing. Alternatively, she asked the court to reject the case on its merits, citing insufficient proof to support the plaintiff’s claim.
The court reviewed the submitted documents, including the criminal judgment previously issued against the defendant for fraud. In its ruling, the court highlighted that a final criminal judgment holds binding authority in related civil proceedings regarding the occurrence of the act, its legal classification, and the responsibility of the accused.
Applying this principle, the court concluded that the defendant had unlawfully obtained Dh150,000 from the plaintiff through fraudulent conduct. It therefore ordered the defendant to repay the Dh150,000 and to pay an additional Dh10,000 in compensation for financial losses and moral damages suffered by the plaintiff.
