Dubai Police have thwarted an attempted theft of an exceptionally rare $25 million pink diamond in a meticulously executed operation named “Pink Diamond.” The swift action led to the arrest of three suspects and the safe recovery of the gem before it could be smuggled out of the country.
The 21.25-carat Fancy Intense pink diamond, classified by a leading gemological institute, is one of the rarest in the world, with only a 0.01% likelihood of finding a comparable stone. Its extraordinary value and rarity made it a prime target for the gang, who had been plotting the theft for over a year.
Elaborate deception
The suspects, all of Asian nationality, allegedly posed as wealthy intermediaries representing a buyer. To build credibility, they rented luxury cars, booked upscale hotels, and even hired a well-known diamond expert to authenticate the gem. After multiple staged meetings, they persuaded the jeweller to move the stone out of his secure shop.
The heist was carried out when the merchant was lured to a villa under the pretext of meeting the supposed buyer. The criminals seized the diamond and fled, planning to smuggle it abroad hidden in a refrigerator bound for Asia.
Swift response
Once the theft was reported, Dubai Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) deployed advanced tracking technologies to identify the suspects, who had dispersed to separate hideouts after the heist. Within just eight hours, simultaneous raids were carried out, leading to the arrest of all three individuals and the recovery of the diamond.
Owner’s gratitude
The jeweller, who had imported the diamond from Europe, praised Dubai Police for their speed and professionalism.
“To my surprise, the very next morning, they called to say the suspects had been arrested and the diamond recovered,” he said, adding that such swift action underscores Dubai’s reputation as one of the safest global centres for diamond trade.
Dubai’s commitment to security
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, emphasised the significance of the operation, noting that Dubai has consistently maintained its reputation as a secure hub for international business and luxury trade. Authorities urged jewellers and traders to adhere strictly to security guidelines to prevent such incidents.
–Input GDMO
