Italian expatriate Giovanni Cavallari faced a heart-wrenching moment when he misplaced a beloved gold necklace, a sentimental gift from his mother, during a spirited volleyball match at Dubai’s Kite Beach. Despite tireless efforts alongside friends and security personnel, the necklace remained elusive amidst the sands.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged as Cavallari stumbled upon a Reddit post recounting a similar tale of loss involving a ring at JBR, and the subsequent heroics of Hasan Zaheer, a Pakistani salesman based in Abu Dhabi, who had successfully retrieved it. 
With newfound optimism coursing through him, Cavallari reached out to Zaheer late on a Saturday evening, amazed by the prompt response he received. Zaheer, a hobbyist equipped with a metal detector, readily agreed to assist.
However, logistical challenges loomed large: for Zaheer to conduct a thorough search, Cavallari needed to secure a booking for the volleyball court on Sunday, with the only available slot being at 7 a.m. This necessitated Zaheer’s departure from Abu Dhabi before dawn.
“When Cavallari conveyed the significance of the necklace to me, I knew I had to help,” said Zaheer, who had acquired a metal detector online during the Covid-19 pandemic and had taken up beachcombing as a pastime.
As dawn broke on Sunday, 36-year-old Zaheer, a father of two, arrived at Kite Beach, where Cavallari eagerly awaited him.
Cavallari recounted the moment: “I watched in amazement as Zaheer skillfully wielded his metal detector. Honestly, I had little hope, considering our exhaustive efforts the previous day. So, you can imagine my elation when Zaheer unearthed the necklace within mere minutes. I was overjoyed and couldn’t help but embrace him tightly.”
In a poignant gesture, Cavallari attempted to express his gratitude monetarily, but Zaheer graciously declined, opting instead for a shared breakfast. 
Cavallari expressed his immense relief at recovering the necklace, attributing it to Zaheer’s selflessness. He highlighted the spirit of Dubai, where strangers readily lend a helping hand, emphasizing that such moments epitomize the essence of the city.
Zaheer, satisfied with his ability to assist, noted that he had become a trusted resource in similar situations following his previous successful retrieval of a ring at JBR, which had garnered attention after being shared on Reddit. With Cavallari also recounting his experience on the platform, Zaheer found himself inundated with requests for aid.
“On the day I recovered Cavallari’s necklace, I also stumbled upon a lost ring belonging to an Indian gentleman amidst the shifting sands of Dubai’s Half Desert, making it a remarkably fruitful expedition,” he remarked.
Since delving into his hobby, Zaheer has received calls from around 25 distraught owners of missing jewelry, predominantly rings, often yielding positive outcomes. Additionally, his pursuits have led to the discovery of various treasures, from coins spanning over 30 countries to keys and assorted metals.
Reflecting on his unconventional pastime, Zaheer said, “Metal detecting brings me immense joy, although I’m uncertain about its legality. While people often offer monetary compensation for my services, I truly value their prayers and goodwill.”