Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Authorities in the UAE have issued a stern warning about six emerging cyber scams, urging residents to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes. The Central Bank of the UAE, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi and Dubai police, highlighted the risks associated with cyber fraud in a fresh alert on Monday (November 25). The six highlighted scams include phishing, email hacking, identity theft, invoice fraud, impersonation for loans, and counterfeit product schemes. These frauds exploit digital platforms to deceive victims and often result in financial losses. Phishing scams, for instance, involve fraudulent messages that mimic official communications to steal sensitive information. “Errors in grammar or spelling are red flags,” said a Central Bank representative. Victims are advised to report such incidents immediately to their banks and police. Email hacking is another common tactic, with fraudsters intercepting business correspondence to redirect payments to fraudulent accounts. “Always verify email authenticity, especially during financial transactions,” advised Col. Waleed Al Kindi of Abu Dhabi Police. A growing trend is the use of stolen personal data to secure loans or credit cards. This form of identity theft often leaves victims in financial distress. Another scheme involves fake invoices, which fraudsters use to divert payments from legitimate businesses. Authorities are urging vigilance and public cooperation. The Central Bank emphasized its Sanadak dispute resolution unit as a resource for victims dissatisfied with their bank’s response. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: How to spot a fake job interview
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