Ex-Apprentice Star’s Dubai Nightmare: Facing Jail Over ‘Bounced Cheque’ Scare
Selina Waterman-Smith, entrepreneur and 2015 Apprentice contestant, reveals she’s trapped in a “living hell” in Dubai. A disputed bounced cheque could land her in jail – with authorities demanding she pay £27,750 or face the consequences. The 39-year-old insists she never wrote the cheque and claims she’s being harassed and extorted by a former business partner.
From Business Deal to Harassment Hell
The drama started nearly five years ago. Selina’s ex-associate posed as a rich investor eyeing her restaurant business back in 2018. He demanded a salary, an office rental allowance, and regular dividends – despite not investing the agreed funds. When their arrangement collapsed, the man allegedly turned threatening and aggressive, plunging Selina into constant fear and stress.
Narcissistic Abuse and Health Battles
Selina describes the ordeal as narcissistic abuse. Despite reporting ongoing harassment to authorities, she feels utterly unsupported and stuck. The stress has taken a serious toll on her health, with diagnoses including PCOS, anaemia, adrenal exhaustion, kidney infection, and hair loss.
“I’ve been caught in a nightmare, physically and mentally drained,” Selina said.
Legal Trap: No Evidence, Yet No Appeal
In 2019, Selina filed a complaint with Dubai Police against the alleged harasser, a South African man. Things turned worse when he launched a civil case against her over the supposed bounced cheque shortly after she went on holiday in 2021.
The case threatens severe penalties: asset seizure, travel bans, and jail time. Shockingly, the court dismissed her appeal despite no evidence or mention of a cheque in the accuser’s testimony. The ruling rested solely on his word.
Detained in Dubai, the group supporting Selina, slammed the judicial process, highlighting how easy it is to secure convictions in the UAE based on mere accusations.
Warning to Western Tourists and Businesspeople
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, warns:
“People must exercise extreme caution with the UAE’s legal system. Western tourists and business people need to know the risks before they visit or move there.”
Selina’s distressing saga sheds light on the harsh legal realities foreigners can face in Dubai. The world watches closely as she fights this battle, hoping her story sparks awareness and change for others caught in similar legal traps abroad.
