Dubai: Foreigner acquitted in university degree forgery case – News

A 47-year-old Australian man has been acquitted by the Dubai Misdemeanor Court after being accused of using a fake university degree to obtain a senior position at a Dubai hospital and receiving a significant salary under allegedly fraudulent circumstances.

The man, who was hired in June 2017 as a human resources manager with a monthly salary of Dh40,000, was accused of presenting a fake master’s degree certificate, reportedly from a prestigious American university, during the recruitment process.

The alleged forgery came to light in November of that year, when hospital officials flagged the diploma as suspicious after contacting the institution that issued it during a routine verification process. This statement subsequently led to the man’s termination, an internal investigation and formal charges being brought against him.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Prosecutors claimed the “fake diploma” was a deliberate attempt to deceive the hospital and secure the high-ranking position. The document was presented as proof that he had the advanced academic qualifications required for the role, according to court records.

However, the Australian citizen’s legal advisor at Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates in Dubai, Dr. His defense, led by Hasan Elhais, argued that his client acted in good faith. “Our client was not aware of any irregularities in his diploma document. “He submitted this in good faith as part of the standard engagement process.”

“There was no direct evidence linking our client to any fraudulent activity. “The prosecution has not demonstrated any intent or involvement on our client’s part in knowingly submitting a false document,” he explained.