Help. Received a call from the police
Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice regarding a situation I’m currently facing in Dubai.
I recently moved in with my partner, but due to ongoing conflicts we ended the relationship and she moved out. She had paid the refundable security deposit while I was covering the monthly rent.
At the beginning of last week, she asked for the deposit back. I told her I would return it within this week or at most early next week, as I’m currently setting up a new business in Dubai and had some unexpected expenses. I also had personal circumstances, including supporting her after a recent surgery, which made things financially tight for a short period. However, I always made it clear I would pay and asked only for a bit of time (I have tons of screenshot where I always said I will pay).
From Monday onwards, she repeatedly threatened to “report me” every single day, even though I never refused to pay and consistently confirmed that I would. At times, I had to block her temporarily because she kept messaging continuously. I felt pressured and intimidated by this constant behavior.
During the week, the situation escalated:
• On Monday, she asked to meet, but I refused because over the weekend I felt under psychological pressure from her messages, including screenshots of conversations where I was being insulted. I admit I used the F-word once out of stress, but I apologized multiple times after. Later that day, during a phone call on speaker with other people around, I laughed and said something like “do you think by scaring me I would come back to you?”, and she immediately threatened to report me just because I laughed. This was heard by other people present.
• She then called me around 10 times insisting to meet.
• On Wednesday, she called me 35 times within 10 minutes while I was out with a friend.
• On Thursday, she came to my building to collect her remaining belongings and called me a “scammer” in front of security and the building manager (there should be CCTV as manager said).
• On Friday, she even contacted my sister, who doesn’t live in Dubai, telling her I owe money and implying I wouldn’t pay, which caused distress to my family that is in Europe.
Throughout all of this, I have consistently replied and confirmed I would pay. I have many messages showing this.
Yesterday (Saturday), I was contacted by the police and asked to come to an office on Monday. They gave me the office details but didn’t provide much information.
My question is: does this sound like a standard mediation/clarification process, or is this something I should be seriously worried about?
Also, based on the behavior described (constant calls, pressure, contacting my family, and calling me a scammer publicly without any proof), could this potentially be considered harassment or public defamation under UAE law? I have never scammed anyone lol I never committed any crime here or in my country and it’s the first time in my life I’m facing this issue, and I have always been transparent about my intention to pay.
I am fully willing to pay and resolve the situation, I just needed a few extra days due to banking and financial timing.
Any insight or similar experiences would be really helpful. Thank you.