Have a question? +971 56 404 0503
News
Check Point Research Warns Shoppers to Stay Alert this Black Friday as Hackers Launch Their Own Holiday Specials
Will November break all-time shopping records?
November is arguably the peak of the busiest shopping period, as people all over the world prepare for the holiday season. It was recently repoted that over 154 million Americans shopped on Black Friday in 2021, with 88 million of them making purchases online. According to Adobe online holiday, spending will be near $210B this year, a 2.5% increase year on year. However, while consumers are getting ready to bag the best deal, cybercriminals are taking advantage of distracted minds by launching their own shopping “specials” in the form of phishing campaigns and lookalike fake websites. In this blog, we explore some of the campaigns we have seen and offer advice on how shoppers can enjoy threat-free online shopping this November.
- Check Point Research (CPR) found a sharp increase in fake shopping-related websites in the run-up to Black Friday sales.
- About 17% of all malicious files distributed by email in November were related to orders/deliveries and shipping.
- Since the start of this month, 4% of all new shopping-related websites have been found to be malicious.
Louis Vuitton email scam
At the end of October, Check Point researchers observed a malicious phishing email that was sent from the webmail address “psyqgcg@moonfooling[.]com“ and spoofed to appear as if it had been sent from “Louis Vuitton”. The email contained the subject line “Black Friday Sale. Starts at $100. You’ll Fall In Love With Prices.”. The content was designed to persuade the victim to click on two malicious links within the email, both of which redirected to the domain: “jo[.]awojlere[.]ru”. The website claimed to be selling genuine pieces of jewelry, which are in fact counterfeit, at discounted prices as part of a Black Friday sale.
All these websites were designed to look like the legitimate Louis Vuitton site and distributed via email with the subject – “[black Friday sale] Louis Vuitton bags up to _% off! Shop online now!” Over the past month, we have seen an increasing number of incidents involving these domains, reaching close to 15,000 in the week of November 7th.
Delivery and shipping phishing scams
Cybercriminals are not only taking advantage of the busy buying period during the purchase process but also at the delivery stage for those cut-price items. In the first ten days of November, we found that 17% of all malicious files distributed by emails were related to orders/deliveries and shipping.
How phishing works
Phishing is a type of cyberattack where malicious actors send messages pretending to be from a trusted person or company. Phishing messages are designed to manipulate a user into performing an action, such as downloading a malicious file, clicking a suspicious link, or divulging sensitive information. The basic delivery of a phishing attack is through SMS, email, social media, or other electronic communication means.
A phisher may use public channels, such as social media networks, to collect background information about their target. These sources are used to gather details such as the target’s name, job title, and email address, as well as interests and hobbies. The phisher can then use this information to create a personalized spam message. In a phishing campaign, the emails that the target receives will appear to come from a known contact or organization. Attackers often set up fake websites that resemble a trusted entity like the target’s bank, workplace, or university. Through these sites, attackers attempt to collect private information such as usernames and passwords, or payment information.
Some phishing emails can be easily identified due to poor copywriting or improper use of fonts, logos, and layouts. However, many cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated at creating authentic-looking messages, and are using professional marketing techniques to test and improve the effectiveness of their emails.
Avoid the scams and enjoy threat-free shopping this November
Cybercriminals are taking full advantage of the holiday spirit. That is why it is important that everyone takes extra precautions to enjoy a safer online shopping experience. Here are six ways you can stay safe this Black Friday:
Always buy from an authentic and reliable source: Before making a purchase, it is important to authenticate the site we are using to make the purchase. So, instead of following a link sent through on email or text message, go directly to the retailer by searching for them on your selected browser and locating the promotion yourself. Those extra few steps will ensure you are not clicking on any fraudulent links, and you can make your purchase with confidence.
Be alert to similar domain names: Many scam websites will often use a domain name like the brand it is trying to replicate, but with additional letters or misspellings. To ensure that you are not handing over your banking information to scammers, pay attention to the URLs, is there anything usual or unfamiliar? By taking a minute to look for signs that a website may be fraudulent you can quickly identify its legitimacy.
Look for ‘too good to be true offers: Often phishing scams promise extremely good discounts on very popular items. If you receive an offer that does appear to be too good to pass up, don’t rush to buy it before it sells out as chances are, it is a scam. Instead, verify that the seller is authentic by checking other websites to see if they are offering similar discounts.
Always look for the padlock: A quick way to see whether a website is secure is to look at whether the URL starts with HTTPS. This is an indicator that it is compliant with international security standards, and it is usually accompanied by a padlock to reflect this. The absence of these signs could indicate that it is untrustworthy and should be avoided.
Use endpoint security: While we do see an uplift in scam emails during popular shopping periods, phishing emails are used by cybercriminals all year round. That’s why everyone should be looking to implement email security solutions to prevent them from landing in our inboxes in the first place.
Be wary of password reset emails: With many getting their baskets ready and loading their payment information onto their accounts to make checkout faster, hackers will also be looking for ways into people’s shopping accounts. As a result, consumers should be cautious of password reset emails that could be fraudulent. If you do receive one, always visit the website directly (do not click on the links) and change your password.
Dhruva will adopt the Ryan brand across the UAE and Saudi Arabia by the end of 2026, uniting the practice with Ryan’s global identity and international platform.
Dhruva, a leading tax consultancy firm in the Middle East, and Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider, today announced that Dhruva will transition to the Ryan brand across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The rebranding will be completed by the end of 2026, bringing the practice under Ryan’s global identity and reinforcing its position as part of the world’s leading global-scale specialist in business tax.
The transition marks the next phase of the strategic joint venture announced in 2025 and reflects the continued integration of Dhruva’s regional capabilities with Ryan’s global platform, technology, and international resources. Clients across the Middle East will continue to benefit from the same trusted advisory teams, enhanced by access to Ryan’s worldwide expertise and service capabilities.
“The Middle East has been a strategic growth market for us for many years, and we have built a strong advisory practice founded on deep client relationships, technical excellence, and local market understanding,” said Dinesh Kanabar, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Dhruva Advisors and Vice Chairman, Ryan.
“The transition to the Ryan brand marks a significant milestone in our journey and reflects the strength of our partnership. By combining our regional expertise with Ryan’s global scale, technology, and international capabilities, we are creating an even stronger platform to support clients across the region as they navigate an increasingly dynamic and evolving tax landscape.”
“The Middle East is one of the most important growth markets for tax advisory services globally, and we are investing in the region with a long-term view,” said Tom Shave, President of Ryan’s European and Asia-Pacific Operations. “Uniting under the Ryan brand strengthens how we serve clients across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Europe—bringing seamless access to our global expertise, technology, and international resources through one trusted platform. This transition marks an important milestone in our integration and reinforces our commitment to the region’s future.”
Ryan will continue to invest in its Middle East operations, expanding its team, capabilities, and regional presence across key markets, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. The practice provides comprehensive tax advisory services spanning corporate tax, value-added tax (VAT) and indirect tax, transfer pricing, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) tax structuring, research and development (R&D), and cross-border compliance.
“The response from our clients over the past year has been the clearest validation of this partnership,” said Nimish Goel, Leader, Middle East, Dhruva, a Ryan Affiliate. “From the outset, our teams have been integrating Ryan’s global capabilities in technology, specialized expertise, and best practices into the work we already lead in the region. Adopting the Ryan brand is the natural next step. It is the same people and the same trusted relationships, now carrying the name of the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes.”
The rebranding will be implemented in phases during the second half of 2026, with signage, visual identity, and digital properties transitioning to the Ryan brand across the region.
News
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC and Palmon Group unveil new temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in JAFZA
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC (“Manrre” or “the Fund”), managed by GFH Partners Ltd. (“GFH Partners”), together with its development manager Palmon Group FZCO (“Palmon Group”), today announced the opening of a specialised temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), further expanding the Fund’s Grade A logistics portfolio.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Mr Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GC, alongside senior officials and dignitaries from Jebel Ali Free Zone, GFH Partners, and Palmon Group.
Purpose-built and developed by Palmon Group to meet stringent international safety and compliance standards, the new facility reflects the rising regional demand for certified chemical storage infrastructure that supports manufacturing, energy, industrial services, and third-party logistics. The warehouse is situated on a 180,000sq ft plot with a built-up area of 112,000 sq ft, divided into three temperature-controlled chambers that reach a maximum height of 13 metres. The warehouse has been designed with advanced Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR), and in-rack sprinkler systems to ensure safety and resilience across all operations.
The facility’s layout allows storage of a diverse range of hazard-classified chemicals. One chamber is configured for UN Class 3 and 4 chemicals, a second accommodates UN Class 5 chemicals, while the third has been developed for UN Class 6, 8, 9 and non-regulated materials. The warehouse offers capacity for 17,400 pallets and includes nine loading docks and three loading bays. The office space has been intentionally limited to three percent of the total built-up area, maximising operational efficiency and warehouse utility.
Speaking on the launch, Kunal Lahori, CEO of Palmon Group and Board Member of Manrre, said: “This new facility brings together precision engineering, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation. Specialised chemical storage requires a high degree of control and risk management, and we have developed this warehouse to meet those expectations while offering flexibility and scalability for tenants. As one of the earliest developers in Jafza, Palmon Group remains committed to supporting the UAE’s logistics and industrial growth.”
Mohamed Ali, Head of GCC at GFH Partners, said: “The opening of this warehouse marks another important milestone in the expansion of the GFH Partners Manrre REIT portfolio, particularly in mission-critical industrial and logistics assets that serve high-growth sectors. The UAE continues to see strong demand for specialised storage solutions, and this facility reinforces our strategy to develop resilient, future-ready assets that deliver long-term value for our investors.”
The logistics hub is now fully operational and is leased to Safe Logistics. The new facility is expected to play a significant role in strengthening regulated supply chains and supporting Dubai’s position as one of the region’s foremost logistics and industrial hubs.
Big Ticket, the largest and longest-running guaranteed raffle draw in the Middle East (known for cash prizes, dream luxury cars, gold bars and coins) has joined the DP World International League T20 Season 4 as an Official Partner.
In recent years, Big Ticket has become more than just a raffle, it has gained the reputation of being a brand built around rewarding dreams and celebrating ambition, growing into one of the region’s largest and one of the most anticipated monthly draws in the UAE.
DP World ILT20 – the 34-match cricketing extravaganza – the biggest T20 tournament in the region featuring some of the most renowned global cricket stars is currently being played at the Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
DP World ILT20 Head of Partnerships Ishan Chopra: “We are delighted to welcome a UAE born raffle giant like Big Ticket as an Official Partner of the DP World ILT20. Their legacy of helping dreams come true aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering unforgettable, fan-first experiences across the league. This partnership strengthens our commitment to creating moments of excitement both on and off the field, and we look forward to elevating Season 4 together. With a household name like Big Ticket on board, we are confident of unlocking even more opportunities for fans to engage, celebrate and go All In for Cricket.”
Meanwhile, DP World ILT20 match tickets across all categories are available for the remaining tournament matches. Various spectator stand tickets start at AED 20 and hospitality packages start from AED 325. Fans can also book the new Sixes Lounge experience for AED 395, which includes unlimited food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased by visiting tickets.ilt20.ae or Virgin Megastores.
Anomali to Address the Next Phase of AI-Led Cyber Defense at GISEC 2026
Navigating Growth and Liquidity: The Shift to Predictive Credit Intelligence in the GCC
HONOR BRINGS ITS ALPHA PLAN TO LIFE AT LEAP 2026 WITH THE WORLD’S FIRST ROBOT PHONE AND RENEWED “DARE TO BE” BRAND DIRECTION
-
News11 years ago
SENDQUICK (TALARIAX) INTRODUCES SQOOPE – THE BREAKTHROUGH IN MOBILE MESSAGING
-
Trending10 months agoOPPO A6 Pro 5G Review: Reliable Daily Driver
-
Tech News2 years agoDenodo Bolsters Executive Team by Hiring Christophe Culine as its Chief Revenue Officer
-
VAR1 year agoMicrosoft Launches New Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business
-
Automotive2 years agoAGMC Launches the RIDDARA RD6 High Performance Fully Electric 4×4 Pickup
-
Tech Interviews2 years ago
Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape in Hybrid Work Environments
-
Tech News1 year agoNothing Launches flagship Nothing Phone (3) and Headphone (1) in theme with the Iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai
-
VAR2 years agoSamsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Clash Of The Folding Phenoms