UAE Residents Warned of Rising Online Scams

In a recent eye-opening report by Al Arabiya, our fellow UAE residents are being urged to keep their guard up against a growing wave of scams hitting the country. Sneaky fraudsters, pretending to be everyone from Dubai Police to local banks, are playing tricks via phone calls and emails, warning people to be extra cautious about sharing personal info.

UAE Online Scams — UAE Residents Warned of Rising Online Scams

The scams have gotten pretty fancy, with one scheme involving urgent emails asking folks to pay traffic fines pronto, complete with an official-looking link. Big banks like FAB and Emirates NBD are stepping up, sending out warnings to customers about tricky scams—especially those pretending you’ve won a fabulous prize.

But that’s not all—text messages pretending to be from Emirates Post are also making the rounds, telling people to click on mysterious links. Authorities are saying, “Hold up, don’t fall for it!”

Experts like Michael Kortbawi from BSA law firm are speaking up about the rise in scams, especially during the holiday season. These tricksters often pretend to be reps from well-known places, asking for things like Emirates ID and passport numbers.

So, how do you spot a scam? Look out for surprise calls or messages, requests for personal or money info, and promises of prizes if you pay up front, says Kortbawi.

Dubai Police are hustling to tackle these scams, but it’s no walk in the park—they often operate from outside the UAE. The country has set some serious rules against cybercrime, but catching these sneaky folks is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Residents, here’s the takeaway: double-check any sketchy messages, report anything fishy to the Cybercrime Helpline at 800-2626, and don’t spill the beans on your personal info unless you’re totally sure it’s legit. It’s like they say, better safe than sorry.

Oh, and just in case you thought these scams were a small-time thing, the head of the UAE’s Cybersecurity Council dropped a bombshell: more than 71 million cyber attacks were blocked in the first three quarters of 2023.