A plot by a phone company clerk to sell status symbol mobile numbers has rung up some serious costs: six months in an Abu Dhabi prison followed by deportation.

However, the Gulf Arab state gave no details on Friday of what RIM had agreed to beyond stating that BlackBerry services were now compliant with UAE telecoms regulations.

Concerns over Israeli access to BlackBerry data, and the use of the device by the United States to spy on the United Arab Emirates are behind the Gulf state’s moves to curb the smartphone, Dubai’s police chief said.

Worries about spying by the U.S. and Israel spurred plans to sharply limit BlackBerry services in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai’s police chief said in comments that suggest a tough line in talks with the smart phone maker.

Talks between the United Arab Emirates and Canada’s Research In Motion (RIM) may soon resolve a spat over BlackBerry security.