Online Scams & Fraud in The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

June 16, 2023

Online scams and fraud are a significant concern in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a substantial number of consumers falling victim to fraudulent activities. According to reports, four in ten UAE consumers have experienced online fraud attempts, highlighting the prevalence of this issue. Online scams can take various forms, including phishing emails, fraudulent websites, fake online marketplaces, investment scams, and identity theft. 

Online scammers use tricky methods to fool people and get their personal information, like bank details, or even steal their money. That's why it's really important for people living in the UAE to be careful and watch out for common scams.

Read on and learn where you can report scams in the UAE, where to get victim support, and some of the popular scams in the UAE.

Scam Statistics in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The key statistics on online fraud in The United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance

  2018 2019 2020 2021
Population 9.6 million 9.77million 9.8 Million 9.9 million
Internet Penetration 99% 99% 99% 99%
# of Scams    1 Million   1740
Scams / 1,000   102.3   0.17
Money Lost   € 1 billion   € 21.95 million
Money Lost / Capita   € 102   € 2.2
Money Lost / Report    € 1,000   € 12,614.37

The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.

 

Where Can I Report a Scam in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)?

  • UAE Ministry of Interior - Cyber Crime Department: The UAE Ministry of Interior has a Cyber Crime Department that handles online crimes, including scams.
  • Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA): The TRA in the UAE may also be involved in handling online scams, especially those related to telecommunications and information technology.
  • The Police - Contact the local police to report the scam. You can reach them through email (aman@adpolice.gov.ae) or through the Police smartphone app.
  • Abu Dhabi Police- You can report any cybercrime to the Abu Dhabi police through SMS to 2828 or call 8002626 or through their online portal
  • Dubai Police- If you are in Dubai, you can reach out to the Dubai Police at 04 606 1600. 

 

 

How to Report a Scam in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.

  • Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
  • Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
  • Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
  • Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.

Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.

Scam Victim Support in The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

We are unaware of any scam victim support in The United Arab Emirates (UAE). You can consult with a local licensed therapist, counselor, or psychologist who specializes in trauma or Crime victims. 

How to check for a scam in The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services.

Popular Scams in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Impersonation Scams

Impersonation scams in the UAE involve receiving a call from an unknown number, with the caller claiming to be a government officer. These scammers often impersonate government officials and exploit people's trust in authorities. They may falsely accuse individuals of violating specific laws and use fear tactics to pressure them into disclosing personal bank details or making financial transactions. 

It's important to remember that legitimate government authorities would never request sensitive personal information like bank details over the phone. If you receive such a call, it is crucial to exercise caution, hang up immediately, and report the incident to the relevant authorities to protect yourself and others from falling victim to these impersonation scams.

Scam News From the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Image source: unsplash.com

 

Report a Scam!

Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!

Help & Info

Popular Stories

As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu

So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking.  If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller.  The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the