Dubai Police have issued an urgent warning about a growing phone scam where fraudsters impersonate official authorities to steal sensitive banking information from residents and citizens. This warning follows the recent arrest of a criminal gang that specialized in convincing people to share confidential details under the guise of official business.
The scammers typically claim to be representatives of official entities and ask victims to update personal information through digital identity platforms or share sensitive banking details, including bank card numbers, CVV codes, and one-time passwords (OTPs). Dubai Police emphasize that any request for such private data is a clear sign of a scam attempt.
This alert comes after a criminal gang was arrested for impersonating employees of the Consumer Rights Protection Department. The gang contacted several victims, claiming to represent an official authority, and pressured them to log into the UAE PASS app to update their personal details. Once the victims complied, the fraudsters used this access to infiltrate their bank accounts and steal funds.
According to Dubai Police, the gang used sophisticated methods to gain victims’ trust, exploiting the public’s confidence in official institutions. They successfully withdrew money from victims’ accounts without their knowledge, leaving many unaware until it was too late.
In response, the Anti-Fraud Centre formed a dedicated task force, which successfully identified the suspects’ locations and arrested them. Authorities also seized the electronic devices used in the fraudulent operations.
Dubai Police urge the public to never share personal or banking information over the phone, especially with unknown callers, even if they claim to represent official institutions or banks. They stress the importance of safeguarding personal data and verifying the identity of anyone requesting sensitive information.
The police further reassured the community that they remain committed to tracking down individuals who misuse official entities’ names to target unsuspecting residents. They encourage people to report any suspicious calls immediately and report cyber fraud cases through the “eCrime” platform at www.ecrime.ae or at the nearest police station.
