What should I do if I have been scammed in the UAE?

Freeze your cards and call your bank's fraud line immediately, then report through the official channel for where it happened: Dubai Police eCrime (ecrime.ae / Dubai Police app / 901) for Dubai, Abu Dhabi Police Aman (8002626) for the capital, or the Ministry of Interior e-Crime portal elsewhere. Save all messages, screenshots and transaction IDs as evidence. Emergencies: 999.

Is a text about an unpaid traffic fine in the UAE real?

Almost always no. Real fines appear inside the official RTA, Dubai Police or Abu Dhabi Police apps — they are never paid through a link sent by SMS. If a message threatens a penalty and asks you to pay via a link, it is a scam: do not click, forward it to 7726 and report it.

What does a UAE Pass phishing message look like?

A fake message claims your UAE Pass or digital ID is suspended, expiring or needs re-verification, with a link to a lookalike page that asks for your ID number and the SMS code. Official UAE Pass never suspends you by SMS and never asks for your OTP outside the official app. Verify only inside the official UAE Pass app.

A WhatsApp agent offered me a guaranteed Golden Visa. Is it a scam?

Yes if any fee is requested outside official channels. Visas and residency are processed only through official UAE government channels (ICP, GDRFA and licensed typing/legal offices) — no legitimate agent sells a 'guaranteed' Golden Visa by WhatsApp or asks for deposits to a personal account.

⏱️ Scammed or unsure? 60-second plan

1 · Protect money

Call your bank's fraud line now — the number on the back of your card. Freeze the card and ask them to reverse any payments.

2 · Keep evidence

Screenshot texts, emails, caller numbers and payment screens. Change passwords and turn on 2-step verification.

3 · Report it

Report through your country's official channel — see the report page.

📌 More help: Report → · Help & support

🇦🇪

UAE Scam Alerts & Reporting

Protection for residents across all seven emirates — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and beyond. Check what's active now, spot the red flags, and report through official channels.

🚨 Report officially

📢 OFFICIAL REPORTING

Dubai Police eCrime (ecrime.ae, 901) · Abu Dhabi Aman 8002626 · MoI e-Crime portal · Emergency 999

✅ Official — from the official site: ecrime.ae · www.dxbpolice.gov.ae · www.adpolice.gov.ae

📡 Reported this week

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Top scams in United Arab Emirates right now

Based on current reporting from GASA, Group-IB and national authorities.

OTP / bank phishing

Fake SMS: 'Your account is blocked' with a link to a fake login that asks for your OTP. Bank never asks for OTP via link — check the sender short code.

🚩 Sender is not your bank's official short code; the link asks for OTP, PIN or card number; urgency and threat language.

'Your account is frozen — confirm your OTP' from a number that is not your bank's short code.

Fake traffic fines

SMS claiming a new traffic fine with a link. Real fines appear in official RTA / Dubai Police apps, never SMS links.

🚩 The fine is not visible in the official app; the payment page is not a government domain; threat of a larger penalty for delay.

'Your fine has increased — pay now to avoid penalty' with a payment link.

Instagram store fronts

50–70% off designer goods; you pay and goods never arrive. Check store age, reviews and a physical address before paying.

🚩 No physical address or phone number; demands bank transfer or crypto; prices far below market; account age and reviews cannot be verified.

An Instagram page selling luxury bags at 60% off, payment only by direct bank transfer, account created a few weeks ago.

Golden Visa / expat traps

Fake agents on WhatsApp promise 'Golden Visa guaranteed' for a fee. Official agencies never work through WhatsApp.

🚩 Visa services are never sold via WhatsApp; the fee goes to a personal account; no verifiable licence or official authority.

A WhatsApp agent: 'Golden Visa guaranteed in 10 days — send your passport copy and the fee'.

Investment circles on WhatsApp

'Guaranteed 30% monthly returns' — pays small sums first, then vanishes. No licensed platform offers fixed returns.

🚩 Guaranteed fixed returns; referral bonuses; payments to personal accounts; no licence from the Central Bank or SCA.

A group admin posts 'profit' screenshots and pays your first 'return' on time to build trust before asking for more.

🛟 Been scammed? First hour checklist

Freeze your cards immediately — call your bank's 24/7 hotline.
Tell the bank's fraud team you have been scammed.
Report via the official channel above — get a case reference.
Save every message, screenshot and transaction ID as evidence.

📱 See what real scam messages look like

Real examples, red flags and next steps — see the real scam message gallery →

🛡️ Verify before you trust

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Bank calls

Your bank will never ask for your OTP, PIN or password by phone or SMS. If in doubt, hang up and call the number on the back of your card or inside your bank's official app.

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Official portals only

Fines, renewals and e-services are handled only through official channels: Dubai Police eCrime (ecrime.ae), Abu Dhabi Police Aman, and the official RTA / MoI / bank apps. Fees are never collected through SMS links.