A screenshot of the exchange on WhatsApp. EXPAT MEDIA

Scammers are targeting UAE residents selling items online with fraudulent payment schemes,  Expat Media has learnt. Victims are lured into sharing sensitive banking information through counterfeit websites mimicking legitimate services. These scams exploit the UAE's thriving online marketplace, where platforms like Facebook and Dubizzle are widely used for buying and selling. Joanne, a Dubai resident who narrowly escaped falling victim, shared her experience with Expat Media. On December 18, she wanted to sell her luxury bag and watch and posted the items for sale on Facebook and received two WhatsApp messages from purported buyers. "Both asked for additional photos on WhatsApp, which seemed normal at first. Then, they insisted on payment through a suspicious Careem link," Joanne recounted. The link, disguised as www.careem.loads.run, bore a striking resemblance to Careem's official site but requested sensitive banking details. “The website asked for my bank card details and CVV to ‘confirm’ the payment,” she said. Realizing the scam, Joanne confronted the buyer and ceased communication. A Sharjah expat who chose to remain anonymous described a similar encounter. "I posted an ad for a sweatshirt on Dubizzle and got a WhatsApp message from a number starting with +44," he explained. The scammer claimed to be in Abu Dhabi and unable to meet in person, offering to arrange courier services through Dubizzle’s platform. The supposed buyer then sent a link for payment confirmation. "The site requested my credit card details, CVV, and even my card balance. I provided random inputs and played along until the scammer blocked me," he added. Authorities have long warned against such scams, urging residents to avoid sharing personal or financial information online. A Dubai Police spokesperson reiterated, “Residents should always verify the authenticity of websites and conduct transactions face-to-face wherever possible.” "Fraudulent websites are becoming more sophisticated. Always verify web addresses before sharing sensitive data," according to Dubai Police, encouraging residents to report suspicious activity. ICA/Expat Media
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