Dubai authorities have apprehended a group involved in impersonating officials from the Consumer Rights Protection Department. This crackdown followed complaints from the public about the gang misleading citizens and residents by claiming to be representatives of an official government body.
The suspects misled their victims into using the UAE PASS app, convincing them to update their information, which led to unauthorized access to their bank accounts and significant financial theft.
According to the Anti-Fraud Centre within the General Department of Criminal Investigation, the unit used advanced methods to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information like bank card numbers and CVV codes. By exploiting the trust people place in reputable institutions, they managed to withdraw funds from victims’ accounts without their awareness.
Due to a noticeable rise in such fraudulent behavior, a specialized task force was established to locate the perpetrators. Authorities successfully tracked down and detained the suspects while recovering electronic devices utilized in their scams.
In light of the arrest, Dubai Police issued a warning to the public against engaging with individuals claiming to be from official agencies. They cautioned that any request for sensitive information, such as banking details, is likely from a scammer trying to access victims’ funds.
The Anti-Fraud Centre encouraged community members to avoid revealing personal or confidential information over the phone, even if the callers assert they represent official organizations. They stressed the importance of verifying the identity and purpose of any request for personal information to prevent falling victim to fraud.
Dubai Police reaffirmed their dedication to fighting cyber fraud and safeguarding the community from those who exploit the names of established entities. They urged the public to report any suspicious phone calls and incidents of cyber fraud to the nearest police station or through the dedicated “eCrime” platform at www.ecrime.ae.