A recent investigation has exposed an audacious scam perpetrated by Prime Experts Construction LLC, a company registered in Dubai’s Al Nahda area. Masquerading as a legitimate construction business, Prime Experts exploited its reputation to defraud suppliers out of flight tickets, hotel bookings, and fuel worth more than Dh1 million.

The Modus Operandi: False Assurances and Bounced Cheques

Prime Experts allegedly approached various suppliers under the pretense of arranging travel for their "employees," gaining trust by issuing security cheques and referencing known business partners. Initially, the company appeared reliable, promising biweekly payments and delivering security cheques that later bounced.

Flyvour, a Dubai-based travel agency, reported losses amounting to Dh194,728 for unpaid airline tickets. The agency’s representative, Behzad Bhatti, shared, “They seemed legitimate and made regular promises to pay. They even issued security cheques that all eventually bounced.”

Scope of the Scam: Hundreds of Tickets and Unpaid Hotel Stays

The scale of this scheme is substantial, involving hundreds of international flights and a variety of hotel bookings. DoJoin, another travel agency located in Sharjah, reported losses totaling Dh206,000, while other suppliers indicated losses in the tens of thousands.

Prime Experts also made bulk bookings for popular Dubai attractions, including desert safaris and visits to iconic landmarks such as Burj Khalifa and The View at The Palm. These were then resold at discounted rates to unsuspecting customers.

Impact Beyond Travel: Fuel Suppliers Targeted

The scam extended to fuel suppliers, with companies like Alpha Petroleum, Three Star Fuels, and Etemadi Fuel and Petroleum falling victim. Collectively, these companies reported unpaid bills exceeding Dh1 million. Noor from Three Star Fuels, which supplied over 50,000 gallons of diesel, stated, “This scam has severely impacted our business. Recovering from this setback will be extremely difficult.”

Reza, the owner of Etemadi Fuel, echoed similar sentiments after supplying nearly 13,500 gallons, valued at Dh419,000, without receiving any payment. “They seemed so professional; we didn’t anticipate such deception.”

The Aftermath: Empty Warehouse and Unpaid Transporters

After securing substantial resources, Prime Experts abruptly vanished, abandoning their rented warehouse in Sharjah’s industrial area and leaving suppliers and transport companies unpaid. Although Prime Experts had been registered for nearly a decade, a recent ownership change went unnoticed by suppliers, contributing to a misplaced sense of security among those affected.

Using Forged Documents to Bolster Credibility

Investigations revealed that the company employed forged documents, including VAT certificates and fabricated audit reports, to build credibility. Reza is currently exploring legal action against the audit firm associated with these documents, although attempts to contact the firm have so far been unsuccessful.

Challenges in Seeking Justice

Several victims have approached authorities for assistance, only to be advised to pursue the matter through the courts—a costly and lengthy process. “The court fees are high, and there’s no guarantee we’ll see any restitution,” Bhatti expressed.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in business transactions, even with companies that seem reputable. As the investigation continues, affected parties are left questioning if they’ll ever recover from the financial fallout caused by this scheme.

Conclusion

The Prime Experts case underscores the need for due diligence, especially when working with entities that offer security cheques or claim association with known businesses. Authorities are encouraging any additional victims to report their losses to help unravel the full extent of this scam.