Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Dubai Police has issued a strong warning to residents against phone scams involving fraudsters posing as officials and asking victims to log into their UAE Pass accounts. The scam, which has led to financial theft, involves criminals pretending to be representatives of government agencies or consumer protection authorities. The Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation in Dubai stated that fraudsters use deceptive tactics to gain victims’ trust before asking them to update their details on digital identity platforms. In some cases, victims were also asked to share sensitive banking details such as CVV codes, OTPs, and account credentials. “This is a clear case of fraud. No official entity will ever ask for such confidential information over the phone,” according to Dubai Police.

Arrest of scam gang in Dubai

Authorities confirmed the recent arrest of a gang that specialized in impersonating officials from the Consumer Rights Protection Department. The scammers had contacted multiple UAE residents, convincing them to log into their UAE Pass accounts under the pretext of updating their personal details. Once victims complied, the suspects hacked into their bank accounts and stole funds. The Anti-Fraud Centre said a dedicated task force was formed to locate and apprehend the criminals. Officers successfully tracked their location, arrested the suspects, and seized the electronic devices used in the scam. Dubai Police urged residents to exercise caution and never share personal or banking details over the phone. “If someone asks you to log into your UAE Pass or share your banking information, assume it’s a scam. Always verify directly with the relevant authority,” authorities advised. Residents were also encouraged to report cyber fraud cases immediately via the "eCrime" platform at www.ecrime.ae or visit the nearest police station to file a complaint. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page