Selina Waterman-Smith, a businesswoman and former star of BBC's The Apprentice, is confronting the dire prospect of imprisonment in Dubai over an alleged bounced cheque, which she asserts she never wrote. This distressing situation has not only jeopardized her freedom but has also led to a significant deterioration in her mental health and the loss of her business.
Waterman-Smith, who competed on Alan Sugar’s reality show in 2015, faces a potential jail sentence if she does not pay £27,750. She claims to be the victim of prolonged harassment, threats, and extortion by a former business associate, who she believes manipulated the legal system against her. She alleges that this individual used false contact information, preventing her from being notified of court proceedings, which led to an automatic guilty verdict when she failed to appear.
The 39-year-old entrepreneur recounts being approached by a man posing as an investor, promising a £200,000 investment in her business. However, according to the human rights organization Detained in Dubai, this individual turned out to be a conman. Instead of providing the promised funds, he demanded money from her business for his own investments, salary, and dividends.
A Harrowing Ordeal
Waterman-Smith describes her ordeal as mentally and emotionally devastating. "This man entered into an agreement with me in bad faith, bullied me into giving him money, then cheated me out of my business that I had spent years developing," she said. "He launched a near-identical business with his own investor after admitting he had no funds to invest in my brands."
Despite multiple complaints to authorities, who allegedly advised her to ignore the threats, the harassment persisted. The relentless stress led to her suffering a nervous breakdown and ultimately deciding to close her beloved business in 2020. "Closing my business was an empowered decision to escape him," she explained. "Yet, six months later, he falsely accused me of writing a bounced cheque."
Waterman-Smith contends that the man was not legally authorized to invest in the UAE and had asked her to list him as a director on her trading license for residency purposes. The stress from these demands contributed to her developing several health issues, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a kidney infection, anemia, and adrenal exhaustion. She even experienced significant hair loss due to the ongoing anxiety.
Legal Battles and Advocacy
The businesswoman expresses deep frustration with the UAE legal system, which she believes has been manipulated to further her former associate's vendetta. "I was not notified about the case or given any chance to defend myself. The legal system has unwittingly aided this man in committing further fraud and extortion against me," she said. "His threats and harassment have driven me to extreme depression. He seems to relish having power over me."
Radha Stirling, from Detained in Dubai, supports Waterman-Smith's claims, noting that the case file lacks any financial proof of a bounced cheque. "Securing a conviction in the UAE can be as simple as making an accusation," Stirling said. "No substantial evidence is required, and often the accused is unaware of the case until they discover they have been convicted. Selina’s case is a harrowing reminder for Western tourists and business people to be cautious when dealing with the UAE legal system."
A Call for Change
Despite her fears of imprisonment, Waterman-Smith remains resolute in her determination to fight. She has vowed to use her experience to advocate for women in the UAE, aiming to protect others from similar predicaments. "I feel it is my duty to speak out about this and potentially protect other women," she declared.
Her story is a sobering illustration of the perils faced by expatriates in the UAE, particularly women who might find themselves vulnerable to legal and financial exploitation. As Waterman-Smith prepares for the next phase of her battle, her courage and advocacy serve as a beacon for others facing similar challenges.
For those struggling with mental health issues, organizations such as Samaritans, Childline, PAPYRUS, Depression Alliance, Students Against Depression, and Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offer support and resources.