Sharjah Police have recovered a collection of amber prayer beads after arresting two suspects accused of stealing the items, valued at Dh367,000, within less than 24 hours of receiving the complaint.
The victim, a Chinese national, reported that he had been robbed after advertising the prayer beads for sale on social media. A person contacted him claiming to be a buyer, agreed to inspect the collection, and then lured him to a location in Sharjah where the suspects allegedly took the goods by deception and fled.
Cross-emirate operation to recover the amber prayer beads
Sharjah Police launched an immediate investigation after the report was filed. Teams collected evidence, analysed data, examined forensic material, and used what the force described as advanced security technologies to identify the suspects and track their movements, according to The National.
The investigation led officers to locate the two suspects in a neighbouring emirate. Sharjah Police coordinated with security authorities there, moved to the suspects’ location, and arrested them. The entire haul was recovered within the 24-hour window.
Arabian Business reported the value of the stolen collection as Dh367,250. The National put the figure at Dh367,000. Both reports place the approximate dollar equivalent at more than $100,000.
The director of Sharjah Police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate, whose name is given as Dr Khalifa Al Hay in one account and Brig Dr Khalifa Belhaj in another, said specialised teams moved immediately after receiving the complaint. The force said the outcome reflected the readiness of its units and their capacity to apply modern investigative tools.
Police advice on social media transactions
Sharjah Police issued a public advisory alongside the announcement. The force urged residents to exercise caution when buying or selling goods through social media platforms, particularly with unknown individuals.
It also advised people to verify the identity of buyers and sellers before meeting, and to complete transactions only at safe, official locations.
The case falls under UAE federal law. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law), Article 436 provides that a theft carried out by two or more persons carries a penalty of life imprisonment. Where none of the aggravated circumstances applies, Article 443 sets a minimum of six months’ incarceration or a fine. The specific charges and applicable articles in this case have not been confirmed by the court.
The two suspects remain in custody. No trial date has been announced.
