August 7,2025
RED FM News Desk
A woman who gave a couple most of her life savings to invest in a Dubai real estate project that never existed has been awarded nearly $1 million in damages, according to a recent civil court judgment.
Manjeet Kaur Sandhu filed a lawsuit against Meera and Kuldeep Virk, accusing them of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to swindle her out of $600,000 by promising a 10% annual return on an investment in the fictitious development. The court found in her favour.
In the ruling, the judge noted that the Virks—particularly Meera Virk—took advantage of Sandhu’s trust, presenting herself as a morally upright and religious person.
Several other individuals named in the lawsuit, who were allegedly involved in the scheme, settled with Sandhu prior to the trial.
The trial proceeded without the participation of the Virks after the judge determined they had been given sufficient opportunity to appear in court but had chosen not to engage in the legal process.
Sandhu testified that she met the couple through her brother-in-law, a friend of Meera’s. Her first payment was made in February 2016. According to Sandhu, Meera appeared trustworthy—well-dressed, driving a nice car—and further gained her confidence by making promises in front of the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, that the investment was safe.
The court heard that Sandhu was given a promissory note assuring repayment within four months, including the promised 10% interest. Three months later, claiming the project was close to completion but short on funds, Meera asked for and received another $100,000. After another three months of silence, Meera again requested more money—another $100,000—along with two more promissory notes.
Nine months after this last payment, in May 2017, Meera visited Sandhu at her home to again reassure her that everything was fine, her money was safe, and she would be repaid.
Despite these assurances, Sandhu never received any of her money back or the promised interest. It wasn’t until two years later that she filed her civil claim.
The judgment noted that the Virks have never been criminally charged, prosecuted, or convicted in connection with the case. “The plaintiff was extremely vulnerable. The Virks appear to have been highly skilled at exploiting that vulnerability,” wrote the judge, adding that the lack of legal consequences made civil damages an important form of “retribution.”
The court awarded Sandhu a total of $976,397.26 in damages, plus an additional $20,000 in legal costs.
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