Can I file a police case if a contractor takes payment and disappears?

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for your message!

Yes, you may have grounds to file a police complaint for breach of trust or potential fraud, especially if you have evidence of the agreement and payment made. However, the best course of action depends on the details of your case, including any written proof or witnesses.

To proceed correctly and protect your rights, we recommend booking a legal consultation or authorizing our office to act on your behalf.

You can book a consultation through our website.

Hi,

Yes, you can file a police complaint in the UAE if you believe you have been cheated or defrauded by the person you hired for the water leaking problem.

Since you paid half the agreed amount and the person is now unresponsive, this situation may be treated as a case of fraud or breach of trust.

To proceed:

- Gather all evidence, such as proof of payment, any written agreements, WhatsApp messages, and call logs.

- Visit your nearest police station and explain the situation, presenting your evidence.

- The police will assess whether it is a criminal matter (fraud) or a civil dispute (breach of contract). In some cases, they may direct you to file a civil case instead.

If you need help preparing your documents or guidance on the process, I offer legal consultations and can assist you with case management and communication with authorities. Let me know if you would like to schedule a consultation.

Thank you for contacting us via Legal Advice Middle East!

There are multiple legal routes depending on whether the agreement was verbal or documented, but the most suitable first step in your situation is to proceed with a police complaint for breach of trust or deception.

We’ve handled a nearly identical case where a client paid a contractor partially in advance during a face-to-face agreement. The contractor disappeared, ignoring all communication. Our legal team successfully filed a criminal complaint, and the individual was summoned and forced to return the money or complete the work.

Even without a written contract, your WhatsApp messages, payment proof, and any witnesses can support your claim. The police in the UAE are authorized to open a file in such matters, especially when there’s a clear financial exchange and evasion of the agreed work.

We recommend collecting all related evidence, including payment receipts, WhatsApp messages, and contact details.

Our legal team can assist you in preparing the complaint in the correct legal language and accompany you to the police station, ensuring the matter is formally recorded.

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out!

From what you’ve described, it seems you entered into a verbal agreement for repair work, paid part of the amount in advance, and now the person is avoiding you without completing the work.

This kind of situation can be treated as a breach of trust or even a potential case of fraud, depending on the circumstances and evidence available, such as WhatsApp chats, voice notes, payment receipts, or any written acknowledgment of the job.

You can file a police complaint for breach of trust or deception, and based on the evidence, the police may summon him for questioning. In some cases, legal notices or civil claims may also be pursued to recover your payment or force the completion of work.

To guide you on the strongest approach and prepare the necessary complaint or file, I’d recommend we speak directly.

Dear questioner,

Yes, you can file the complaint at the police station. However, if there are clear agreement terms, then it would be better to file a civil complaint.

If you need more clarification, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for sharing the details of your situation!

Based on UAE law, if the individual accepted partial payment for services (such as fixing a water leak) and has since become unresponsive without completing the agreed work, you may have grounds to file a police complaint for suspected fraud under the UAE Penal Code; particularly if there is evidence suggesting intent to deceive.

Alternatively, this could also be pursued as a civil breach of contract under the UAE Civil Transactions Law, as verbal agreements can be enforceable with supporting evidence (e.g., payment proof, messages, or witness statements).

To proceed effectively, I recommend gathering all related documentation and seeking a formal legal consultation. Thereby, we can advise you whether your case should be pursued criminally or civilly and assist with drafting any necessary legal notices or complaints.

Please let me know if you’d like assistance in arranging a consultation with a licensed lawyer.

Best regards,

Greetings,

You should file a fraud report and bring witnesses.

Best Regards,