Srinagar, May 21 -- A Dubai-based brokerage firm has disappeared overnight without a trace, taking with it millions of dirhams in investors' money, leaving many Indian expatriates in distress. Outside suite 302 of Capital Golden Tower in Dubai's Business Bay, all that remains is a mop and a garbage bag. Until recently, the space was occupied by Gulf First Commercial Brokers, which now appears to have shut operations suddenly, according to a report in the Khaleej Times.

The firm, which had around 40 employees working across suites 302 and 305, was engaged in cold-calling potential investors and promoting forex trading schemes. Today, both offices are locked, phone lines are disconnected, and the rooms lie covered in dust.

"They returned ...