Dubai Police Bust 8-Person Gang in $3.26 Million Oud Theft

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai police said they dismantled an eight-member gang, including a woman who posed as a respected princess, after the group tricked a merchant trying to sell a valuable oud and stole the item worth 12 million dirhem. The value of the oud was put at $3.26 million. Police said four suspects were detained and the stolen oud was recovered after the case was solved in less than 12 hours. Red notices were issued for the four others who fled. According to police, the network prepared a luxury villa to plan the theft and arranged a fake reception for the trader to carry out the deception. The operation was presented as a carefully staged scam designed to gain the merchant’s trust. The investigation is continuing, with authorities saying the crime was uncovered in under 12 hours.