Dubai Police have made a significant breakthrough in their ongoing battle against phone fraud, with the recent arrest of 494 individuals connected to 406 cases of fraudulent activities targeting bank customers over the past year.
The perpetrators employed various tactics, including phone calls, emails, SMS, and social media links, to deceive victims and gain access to their savings and bank accounts. Authorities have disclosed that substantial amounts of money, along with mobile phones, laptops, and SIM cards used in executing these scams, have been seized.
Instances of such scams have been prevalent in the UAE for years, prompting repeated warnings from authorities. Earlier this year, a Portuguese cabin crew member recounted her harrowing experience of losing Dh200,000 in a bank scam. Despite her cautiousness towards unknown calls, exhaustion following a flight left her vulnerable to the scammers’ ploy.
Brigadier Harib Al Shamsi, acting director of the General Department for Criminal Investigation, emphasized the importance of never disclosing banking details or credit card information to anyone purporting to represent a financial institution. He highlighted the common tactic used by fraudsters, wherein victims are coerced into believing their bank accounts will be frozen unless they provide updated information.
The public is urged to update their details directly through official banking channels and report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately. The recent crackdown echoes similar efforts by law enforcement, such as the 2022 arrest of a gang in Sharjah involved in similar fraudulent schemes.
These scams extend beyond impersonating banks, with fraudsters sometimes posing as representatives from government agencies.