Scammers have targeted UAE residents yet again with new Facebook ads claiming to offer free Nol cards valid for a year. The ads on Facebook lure potential victims with a bogus offer of free rides on the Dubai Metro for 12 months using the complimentary Nol card. When clicking on the ad, unsuspecting victims are directed to a phishing website where they will be asked to give their personal and banking details. The scam is the latest in a series of bogus offers targeting Nol card users. Last week, as reported by Expat Media, scammers also launched a fake Nol card gift card for Dh8. In January, bogus websites also made rounds on social media, offering fake Nol card recharge service. Users who fell victim to the scam sites said they lost hundreds of dirhams. The spike in Nol card-related cyber scams came as the minimum top-up of Dh20 for Nol cards took effect on January 15. This week, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that it has awarded a multi-million dollar project to upgrade the Nol card system to incorporate facial recognition, Artificial Intelligence and smartphone connectivity. The RTA has repeatedly urged residents not to engage with such ads, saying that its legitimate offers are only published on its official website rta.ae. The RTA also urged residents to report scams and other suspicious activities. “Be careful not to deal with deceptive marketing campaigns that aims to exploit digital service users. It involves the sale of fake Nol cards at token amounts, misleadingly topping up credit, and illicitly gathering customer data. RTA strongly advises exercising caution and vigilance when dealing with such campaigns by using RTA services only, such as the website (www.rta.ae), ticket offices, vending machines and (RTA Dubai and nol pay) applications,” according to the RTA.
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