UAE extradites one of China's most wanted over multi-million dollar gambling network
The man – who was not named by the UAE – was arrested by Dubai Police after a red notice was issued by global police agency Interpol.
He is considered to be one of the China's most wanted, state news agency Wam said.
'The Chinese authorities expressed their appreciation for the UAE's co-operation and their keenness to enhance co-operation and joint action to ensure the security of societies and the international community,' Wam stated.
It is the latest high-profile intervention by the UAE as part of efforts to close the net on criminal activities around the world.
In July, Dubai Police arrested and extradited three alleged Belgian crime gang leaders facing human and drug trafficking charges in their home country.
The three suspects – Mathias Akyazili, Giorgi Faes and Othman El Ballouti – were listed in the most-wanted category by Interpol and the EU's Europol.
In Belgium, they are accused of serious cross-border crimes, including operating a gang, trafficking drugs and psychotropic substances, committing robbery and human trafficking.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Ajman e-scooter ban: UAE residents recount near-misses, say 'safety paramount'
The decision to ban the use of e-scooters in Ajman would inconvenience some commuters but must have come after a lot of careful consideration, a road safety expert says. Meanwhile, some residents said that the move was an understandable decision for the safety of the community. 'Authorities don't take such measures without a lot of thought,' said Dr Eng. Mustafa Aldah, founder of MA Traffic Consulting. 'There must be something major behind this decision, and in the coming days it will become clearer.' He noted that while most road users follow traffic laws, a reckless minority creates risks that can lead to severe accidents. 'All it takes is one injury or fatality to have a huge repercussion in society,' he added. It was on Friday that all Ajman Police announced that the use of electric scooters of all types would be prohibited on public streets. Last month, it issued an advisory asking riders of e-scooters and two-wheelers to follow rules on the road, warning against the use of unauthorised electric bicycles and scooters. Ajman resident Asha Jamal said that she understood why the move was important. 'During last Ramadan, I almost met with an accident when an e-scooter came towards me as the rider was was going in the wrong direction,' she said. 'The ban may be miserable for many but the safety of the road users and the e-scooter users themselves are paramount.' In 2024 alone, the city recorded 254 accidents involving e-scooters and bicycles, resulting in 10 fatalities and 259 injuries. Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi police released a video which highlighted the dangers of improper e-scooter use in public and residential areas, drawing strong reactions from residents across the UAE. Lack of proper knowledge Dr Aldah stressed that many e-scooter riders lack proper road knowledge, as some have never held a driving license. He described common dangerous practices, including riding against traffic at night without lights or reflective clothing. Another Ajman resident Parveen Backer described an incident she had witnessed. 'From our building, we need to take a right turn to access the main road,' she said. 'Drivers usually check for vehicles from the left, and if clear, proceed. One day, while a driver was waiting to turn, a boy aged around 15 or 16 suddenly appeared from the right side without warning. Fortunately, the driver was moving slowly, and both escaped unharmed. Otherwise, it would have been a terrible tragedy.' In February this year, a 15-year-old badminton player lost her life in a tragic incident when the e-scooter she was driving on got into an accident. Later, her childhood friend called for tighter rules on the vehicle to ensure such incidents don't repeat. Timely move According to Dr Aldah, the ban by Ajman police is timely. 'Vulnerable road users can make up to 50 per cent of fatalities on the road so we must all watch out for each other,' he said, praising the swift and proactive approach to road safety regulations. He pointed out that that safety gear, visibility, and vehicle maintenance are essential for riders in areas where scooters remain permitted. He also urged targeting awareness campaigns at schools and parents, citing recent incidents involving children, including fatalities. Asha added that the ban would impact people she worked closely with. 'My household help commutes to and from our house in an e-scooter,' she said. 'This ban will definitely impact his timeliness but that is a small price to pay for his safety. He is now trying to sell it so that he can get money to find another mode of transport to commute to his accommodation.'
Khaleej Times
17 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Man jailed for 5 years, to be deported for supplying wife with free drugs
The Dubai Court of First Instance sentenced an Asian man to five years in prison, a Dh50,000 fine, and deportation after serving his term for possessing narcotics he purchased from an unknown dealer via a social media platform, and facilitating his wife's drug use. Additionally, he is barred from transferring or depositing money to others unless permitted by the UAE Central Bank, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior. The case unfolded in April when the Anti-Narcotics Department received credible reports that the defendant's wife, residing in the Al Muraqqabat area, was using and in possession of illegal substances. A subsequent raid at her home uncovered 40 grams of crystalline methamphetamine as well as another brownish substance containing the same drug. A police officer noted that the husband was present during the raid and appeared unusually anxious and hesitant. Laboratory tests confirmed that samples from both individuals contained amphetamine and methamphetamine, both categorised as narcotics under Federal Decree No. 3 of 2021. The defendant admitted during the investigation that he supplied the narcotics to his wife free of charge. He also confessed to purchasing the drugs from someone advertising them on social media; he transferred Dh200 to the seller's bank account, coordinated a GPS location via WhatsApp, and completed the pickup accordingly. The appeal court's decision upheld the original judgment.
Khaleej Times
18 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai businessman loses Dh2.2 million in Bao Bao Panda crypto scam, probe underway
It was billed as the "panda revolution" of the crypto world. Bao Bao Panda, a meme coin with a grinning mascot, viral internet hype, and AI-driven investing, claimed it would change fortunes 'one paw-step at a time.' Instead, it left a Dubai-based Indian businessman with a $600,491 hole (Dh2.2 million) in his account and on the trail of a scam now under investigation by Dubai Police. Al Riffa Police have registered a fraud case against an Indian man for posing as a licensed virtual asset trader. The suspect allegedly convinced the victim to exchange $600,491 worth of USDT tokens for Bao Bao Panda, promising the meme coin's value would double. A police certificate submitted to the public prosecutor and shared with the businessman confirms the case details. Investigators found the accused had no license to trade digital assets in the UAE, violating anti-money laundering laws and federal virtual asset regulations. Authorities have issued a circular to locate the suspect, who reportedly fled the country in April. 'This is not how it was supposed to be,' the businessman told Khaleej Times, recalling the nearly 60 cryptocurrency transfers he made. The coin's white paper seen by Khaleej Times promised global contests, virtual panda races, and even wildlife conservation. 'What I got was a police file, a forensic audit, and a dead-end crypto trail.' He claims an Indian politician and his son introduced him to the suspect during a Dubai visit. 'They told me, 'We guarantee your money,'' he said. 'It sounded convincing then. Now, I see it was all a carefully crafted illusion.' According to him, the politician and his son claimed to invest $50,000 of their own in Bao Bao Panda, a supposed show of faith that he alleges was simply a circular transaction looping back to them. For nearly four months after the token's launch, the suspect allegedly kept up the façade: sending updates, discussing marketing plans, and vowing listings on major exchanges. Behind the scenes, the businessman alleges, he urged others to buy in, then dumped his own holdings from anonymous wallets each time prices rose. Meme coins are cryptocurrencies inspired by internet jokes or trends (eg: Dogecoin, Shiba Inu), typically with no real-world utility. Their value depends entirely on hype, making them prime targets for speculation and fraud. In February, Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued an alert warning that meme coins are unregulated and highly speculative, often lacking intrinsic value and vulnerable to manipulation through social media hype. It urged investors to be wary of anyone promising guaranteed or outsized returns and reminded the public that all virtual-asset promotions in Dubai must follow its marketing and issuance rules.
