In a striking display of precision and rapid response, Dubai Police thwarted an audacious plot to steal one of the rarest diamonds in the world, a 21-carat pink gem valued at $25 million (Dh91.8 million). The meticulously executed heist was unraveled in just eight hours after the theft was reported, culminating in the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of the stolen diamond.

A year in the making, the elaborate setup

The heist, codenamed ‘Pink Diamond’, was the result of a year-long operation carried out by a gang of three individuals, all of Asian nationality. According to the Dubai Media Office, the plot began when the gang learned of the diamond’s arrival in Dubai from Europe. Classified as Fancy Intense, the 21-carat pink diamond possesses the highest grade of purity and is among the rarest globally, with a scarcity rate of just 0.01 per cent. To execute their plan, the suspects constructed an elaborate web of deception:

The merchant, who has operated in Dubai since 2005, was gradually persuaded by the gang’s apparent authenticity. Ultimately, he agreed to take the diamond out of secure storage and present it for private viewing at a villa — the location chosen by the suspects.

The theft from villa to 999 call

It was at this private villa that the gang made their move. Once the merchant arrived and presented the pink diamond, the suspects seized it and fled the scene. The trader immediately alerted emergency services. The Dubai Media Office later released an audio clip of the call. In it, the distressed caller is heard saying:“I just had a problem. I came to meet a client to sell a diamond to them. They looked at the stone and now … it’s stolen.” Within minutes, police patrols were dispatched to the location. A rapid investigation commenced.

The crackdown, tech-driven chase and swift arrests

Dubai Police launched an immediate and well-coordinated response. The General Department of Criminal Investigation and Criminology led the operation, deploying specialized task forces and leveraging advanced surveillance and tracking technologies. Initial findings revealed that while the three suspects had been staying together prior to the theft, they had dispersed to separate hideouts across the city after fleeing the villa. The authorities acted simultaneously, raiding each suspect’s location, leading to the arrest of all three individuals. The stolen pink diamond was found hidden inside a small refrigerator, which the suspects had planned to use as a temporary concealment before attempting to smuggle the gem to an unspecified Asian country. CCTV footage was also released, showing the suspects with blurred faces moving between locations. However, authorities withheld other personal details about the suspects, including their exact nationalities and the intended smuggling route.

Aftermath, diamond recovered, case closed

Thanks to the quick action by law enforcement, the pink diamond was recovered intact and returned to its rightful owner. Reflecting on the events, the merchant praised the authorities, stating:“Their speed and professionalism gave me immediate confidence the case would be resolved.” He also noted that after placing the 999 call, multiple patrols arrived within minutes, began the investigation on site, and kept him informed and reassured throughout. Remarkably, he added:“To my surprise, the very next morning, they called to say the suspects had been arrested and the diamond recovered.” The operation is being held up as a textbook example of the city’s law enforcement capabilities, combining advanced technological infrastructure with methodical police work.