Got scammed by a room agent in Dubai - any chance of getting my money back?
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice regarding a situation that happened to me in Dubai.
I found a standard room through someone who claimed to be an agent. I agreed to move in on a specific date and paid the following:
- AED 800 deposit
- AED 200 agent commission
- AED 2,500 rent
- AED 200 access card fee
Total paid: AED 3,700
The day I was supposed to move in, he told me that the owner's relative was still staying in the room and asked me to move in the next day instead.
The next day arrived and he gave me the same excuse, saying the relative was still there. Since then, I have not been able to move in and now I am asking for a refund.
His response is that the owner also "messed him up" and he keeps making excuses instead of returning my money.
Unfortunately, I never signed a contract and he never gave me a receipt. However, I do have:
- Screenshots of our conversations
- Proof of bank transfers/payments
- A screenshot showing the bank account where I sent the money
Has anyone dealt with a similar situation in Dubai?
Can Dubai Police or any authority help in a case like this even without a signed contract? Is there a realistic chance of recovering the AED 3,700?
Any advice would be appreciated.