Doha, Qatar: In a significant ruling, the Court of First Instance in Qatar has awarded QR 2 million in compensation to a victim of cheque forgery, who faced imprisonment, fines, and a travel ban due to a fraudulent modification of a guarantee cheque.
According to the Arabic daily Al Sharq, the case unfolded when the victim enlisted the help of a long-time friend and former business partner to serve as a guarantor for a loan of QR 162,000 intended for purchasing a vehicle. To facilitate this, the victim provided a blank cheque as collateral.
However, a decade later, the victim was shocked to learn that an arrest warrant had been issued against him by his former friend, accusing him of cheque fraud involving a staggering QR 28.5 million cheque.
The victim was subsequently convicted by the Court of First Instance Misdemeanors and Felonies, receiving a sentence of three years in prison, a travel ban, and a bail amounting to QR 100,000, as reported by Al Sharq.
Following an appeal by the victim's lawyer, Mana Nasser Jashan, new investigations were conducted, revealing that the handwriting on the cheque did not match the victim's and that the amount had been fraudulently inflated to QR 28.5 million.
Ultimately, the Court acquitted the victim and allowed for a civil lawsuit to be filed for damages, leading to the court's decision to mandate the perpetrator to pay QR 2 million in compensation to the victim.
This case highlights the critical need for caution when handling cheques or any financial matters, irrespective of personal relationships.