An employee at a travel agency in Sharjah has been arrested for duping close to two dozen people.
Police say he sold plane tickets to 21 UAE expats who thought they had grabbed a good deal.
However, when they realised that their bookings didn't exist, they called the police.
Within 48 hours authorities in Sharjah arrested a man who admitted to taking the money, but not handing it over to his company.
This resulted in the bookings being cancelled.
The suspect said he duped the holidaymakers so he could pay off thousands of dirhams in personal debts.

Abu Dhabi launches lifestyle programme to help citizens get healthier
UAE's foreign trade approaches record AED 3 trillion mark in nine months
5 Esaad cards up for grabs in Dubai Police's 5-week traffic contest
Dubai Police warns against using phones while driving after four-way crash
RTA opens 1,650-metre Al Khaleej Street Tunnel