TikTok star trapped in Dubai faces 2 years in prison for ‘screaming’ at worker
A TikTok star has been detained in Dubai for "screaming in public", it is reported.
TikToker Tierra Allen from San Diego, California who now lives in Houston, Texas, was in the United Arab Emirates city for vacation when she was detained by police during an altercation with a car rental company.
During her stay in the popular holiday destination, the 29-year-old influencer was involved in a minor car accident with her rental. Luckily neither she nor her friend, who was driving the car, were injured.
But the car was impounded along with its contents including Tierra’s personal possessions; credit cards, debit cards and cellphone. When she visited the rental car’s office the next day to retrieve her possessions, the manager refused to give these back and asked for money in exchange for them.
The manager proceeded to call the police who detained the woman and kept her from returning to the US, according to a civil justice organisation called Detained in Dubai.
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TikTok star Tierra Allen held in Dubai accused of ‘screaming’ at rental car firm (@sasssy.trucker/TikTok)
(@sasssy.trucker/TikTok)Ms Allen told the organisation: "The manager was being rude and mean to me. I felt so scared. He followed me outside the office and I felt very intimidated.
"I told him to stop but instead, he called the police and opened a case against me, apparently for 'screaming'. I am in shock that he frightened me, I told him to stop, and now the police have said I can’t go home.
"I told them I had a medical emergency and needed to return to the US but they wouldn’t let me. I’ve now found out that the police could keep me here for months while they decide whether to prosecute me and if they do, I could go to prison!"
Now, police reportedly have confiscated her passport and forbid her to leave the country, while they decide whether to prosecute her. If convicted, Tierra faces up to two years prison sentence, fine and deportation.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai highlighted spoke of an extortion scheme that, according to her, has developed in Dubai, involving rental companies who demand from travellers large sums of money, often in cooperation with corrupted police.
(@sasssy.trucker/TikTok)Ms Stirling said: "It is extremely common for rental car agencies to open cases against customers as a means to extort them. The hope is that whomever they perceive to be a ‘wealthy foreigner’ will offer them cash in order to drop the case.
"Only a few weeks ago, another young American unfortunately paid one of the rental car agencies so they would drop the case. The amount was approaching $20,000.
"Holidaymakers will pay extortionate amounts just to get home to their families and jobs even when they know they are being taken advantage of. Rental car agencies cash in on the insurance money and extort victims on top. It’s business for them."
Under the nickname "The Sassy Trucker", Ms Allen has been documenting a lavish lifestyle on social media, including multiple beach trips, night club excursions and luxurious eating during her trip to the United Arab Emirates, which was expected to only last a month.
Stirling and Allen’s family are soliciting help from Texas lawmakers, including Rep Sheila Jackson Lee and Senator Ted Cruz.
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“We have spoken to the family of Tierra Young Allen and have contacted the Department of State about the case,” Cruz’s office told Fox 26. “Sen. Cruz will continue to gather details and engage on this case until Ms Allen is returned home to her family.”
“It’s been very emotional. There are some days I stay up all night crying,” Allen’s emotional mother Tina Baxter told Fox 26.
“It’s very frightening. The longer she’s been there the more reality has started to kick in.”
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