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British Couple Calls Out Daily Mail’s “False Narrative” About Their Dubai Story
Sometimes headlines tell one story, and the people in the story tell a completely different one.
A Brit couple have spoken out after a report claimed they had left Dubai and described the city as “plastic and fake” following the recent regional tensions
The article by Daily Mail, titled “British couple who moved to Dubai because it was ‘safer than London’ return to Croydon after war erupted and say they are unlikely to return to the ‘plastic and fake’ city,” quickly gained traction and was picked up by several other Western outlets.
But according to the couple themselves, that narrative couldn’t be further from the truth.
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“Don’t believe the headlines”
Jason Kwao, the British entrepreneur mentioned in the article, took to Instagram to set the record straight and share his side of the story.
In a heartfelt post, he explained that the headlines completely misrepresented what he and his wife actually said.
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He wrote that the conversation was never about Dubai being fake or plastic. Instead, it was about grief and how personal loss changes your perspective on life, relationships, and priorities. Jason explained that their comments were simply a sincere reflection of what they were going through emotionally, not a criticism of Dubai.
He also made it clear that both he and his wife genuinely love the UAE and remain grateful for everything the country has given them – from opportunities and growth to life-changing experiences.
Dubai ranks in his top places to live
To make things even clearer, Jason added that Dubai still sits firmly in his top three places to live.
He even joked that someone told him “you’re more likely to die in Croydon than Dubai misses. (I agree 😅)”
Right now, the family is in Croydon, UK, not because they are leaving Dubai for good, but because they are dealing with a deeply personal situation following the passing of Jason’s brother. They are spending time with family during this difficult period.
According to him, the media may sometimes sensationalise headlines, but the truth always finds its way out.
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His love for Dubai isn’t new
For many residents, this situation felt like a familiar pattern – a headline goes viral, a narrative spreads, and then the full context emerges later.
Jason’s response highlights how easily personal stories can be reshaped into something completely different when reduced to attention-grabbing headlines.
Anyone who has followed Jason’s journey knows that his appreciation for Dubai didn’t just start yesterday.
In fact, he previously appeared on the Lovin Dubai Show back in 2025, where he spoke openly about why he chose to move to the city in the first place.
He shared that after travelling to multiple countries, including the US and parts of Africa, Dubai stood out like nowhere else.
According to him, the city felt futuristic, full of energy, and already living in the future – which ultimately pushed him and his wife to make the move and build their life here.
Within just two years, he went on to build a successful agency in Dubai worth over £2 million, something he has often credited to the opportunities and environment the city provided.
When headlines and reality don’t match
What was presented by some Western media outlets as a story about a couple rejecting Dubai turned out to be something entirely different.
Jason’s response has resonated with many residents who believe that sometimes the reality on the ground gets lost in translation when stories travel across borders.
In a reel shared by Jason that started with the hook “We’re officially leaving Dubai,” Jason spoke about how the city tested him, helped him grow, and allowed him to build a successful life for his family.
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But those who watched the video until the end would know the real message – he was simply leaving Dubai to travel home for Christmas and planned to return to Dubai by February 2026.
And the bottom line was “no matter where life takes us, this city will always feel like home”
A city that always feels like home for many – somehow got translated by Western Media as “This city is fake and plastic, never coming back here”