- A woman from Texas is currently unable to leave the UAE as she has been accused of violating a vague law that criminalizes ‘offensive behavior.’
- After having an argument, Tierra Allen, 29, was reported to the authorities by staff members of a rental car company.
- The rental car company demanded a large sum of money in exchange for returning her passport and phone, which is a known scam.
A woman from Texas, who has been barred from leaving the United Arab Emirates due to a man accusing her of “screaming,” may actually be a victim of an elaborate scam.
According to Tierra Allen’s mother, Tina Baxter, Allen was a passenger in a rental car driven by a friend from Nigeria when they were involved in a minor accident in Dubai on April 28. Allen was briefly handcuffed by the local police who arrived at the scene. The car was then towed back to the rental car company with Allen’s personal belongings, including her phone, wallet, and passport, still inside. Allen was released by the police and instructed to go to the car company to retrieve her belongings.
Upon arriving at the rental company, the staff demanded a significant amount of money from Allen in order to return her belongings. An argument ensued, and Allen claims that the staff deliberately provoked her into yelling.
An employee of the rental car company then filed a case against Allen, accusing her of violating a broadly-defined law in the UAE that criminalizes behaviors such as swearing, rudeness, and insulting gestures.
According to Baxter, Allen was not arrested for the accident itself but rather for requesting her belongings from the rental car company when they opened the case against her. Baxter also emphasized that her daughter became the main target once it was discovered that she was a US citizen.
British human rights advocate Radha Stirling, who assists foreigners in the UAE through her organization called Detained in Dubai, has stated that Allen’s situation is not unique and that similar cases have been reported before. Stirling revealed that some Americans have even paid large sums of money to rental car companies in order to retrieve their passports and return home.
Stirling, who is currently assisting Allen, explained that she has only been charged at this point and therefore cannot leave the country. Additionally, Allen’s passport is believed to be in police custody. She is currently residing in her Airbnb, with limited communication using a replacement phone to talk to her mother and Stirling.
If the police decide to prosecute, the legal process could take several months, potentially resulting in a prison sentence of up to two years if Allen is convicted. The rental car company involved in the case has not responded to requests for comment.
In her conversation with Insider, Baxter expressed her concern for her daughter’s situation and her efforts to support her. She acknowledged the need to be cautious in raising awareness about the case to avoid causing further complications with the UAE government or Dubai authorities.
Considering the potential negative consequences, Baxter considered starting a fundraiser on GoFundMe but was advised by Stirling against it, as it could perpetuate the extortion scam prevalent in the UAE.
Instead, the family has sought help from lawmakers in Texas, contacting Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Sen. Ted Cruz. Stirling is hopeful that this will lead to ambassadorial and diplomatic assistance in the UAE, ultimately resulting in Allen’s safe return home.
The US Consulate in Dubai declined to comment on the case, while Cruz’s office stated that they have spoken with Allen’s family and are actively working to gather further details and secure her return.
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