Entrepreneur and former Apprentice star, Selina Waterman-Smith, has spoken out about her ongoing “living hell” in Dubai over a disputed ‘bounced cheque’ that could result in her being handed a hefty jail sentence. The 39-year-old businesswoman claims she is the victim of harassment and extortion by a former business associate, and despite her denial of writing any cheque, she has been warned by authorities that she must pay £27,750 or face imprisonment.
The nightmarish ordeal began nearly five years ago when a former business associate, who initially posed as a wealthy investor and showed interest in Selina’s growing restaurant business in 2018, demanded a salary, an allowance to rent office space, and regular dividends despite not investing the agreed capital. When their business arrangement fell apart, the man allegedly resorted to threats and aggressive behaviour, leaving Selina in a constant state of fear and stress.
Selina Waterman-Smith, who starred in the 2015 series of The Apprentice, claims she was a victim of narcissistic abuse, and despite alerting authorities to the ongoing harassment, she feels unsupported and trapped. She says she has been diagnosed with various health issues resulting from extreme stress, including PCOS, anaemia, adrenal exhaustion, a kidney infection, and hair loss.
As part of her defence, Selina filed a complaint with the Dubai Police against the alleged harasser, a South African man, in 2019. However, matters escalated when he filed a civil case against her over an alleged bounced cheque shortly after she left the UAE for a vacation in 2021. The case carried severe penalties, including seizure of assets, a travel ban, and potential jail time.
Despite scant evidence and no mention of a cheque in the complainant’s testimony, the court refused to grant Selina an appeal, solely relying on his statements as sufficient evidence. This lack of due process has been highlighted by Detained in Dubai, an organisation supporting Selina, stating that securing a conviction in the UAE can be as easy as making an accusation, with little to no evidence required.
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, emphasizes the need for caution when dealing with the UAE’s legal system and warns Western tourists and business people to be aware of the potential risks when visiting or moving to the country.
Selina Waterman-Smith’s case has garnered attention, shedding light on the complexities and challenges individuals may face when dealing with legal matters in foreign jurisdictions, especially in countries with different legal systems and practices. As her battle continues, the world watches to see how this ordeal unfolds and what implications it may have for others navigating similar circumstances in the future.
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