STAY SAFE, UAE: BE AWARE OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF FRAUD

Attributed by Yazen Rahmeh, cybersecurity expert at SearchInform

Human Weakness at the Core

Fraud in the UAE is no longer just about hacking computers; it’s about hacking people. Recent research shows that the average victim loses more than $2,000, and over half of UAE residents face at least one scam attempt every month. That’s not a rare event anymore. In contrast, it’s everyday reality.

Why does this happen? Because fraudsters know how to play on human psychology. Nearly eight out of ten people admit they’ll click on a link if it promises something positive: “You’re a winner,” “Claim your free gift.” That moment of excitement or curiosity is exactly what criminals are counting on.

Scams aren’t just about tricking your brain. They target your feelings, such as joy, fear, and urgency, pushing you into quick decisions you’d never normally make.

When AI Becomes an Accomplice

Artificial intelligence was meant to help us work faster and smarter. But today, it’s also helping criminals become more convincing.

Three out of four people in the UAE believe they can tell the difference between real and AI-made content. The truth? In tests, only 37% could actually spot the fakes—especially when distracted or stressed.

Fraudsters use AI to:

• Clone familiar voices—colleagues, clients, even relatives.
• Generate deepfake videos and photos that look shockingly real.
• Write emails that sound personal and professional.
• Automate scams, sending thousands of targeted messages in seconds.

Gone are the days of clumsy, badly written scam emails. Today’s fraud is polished, realistic—and dangerously persuasive.

Real-World Cases That Hit Close to Home

This isn’t theory. It’s already happening here.

In 2020, a manager at an Emirati bank received what seemed like a routine call from a trusted client, the director of a company he knew personally. They had met several times before, so the voice on the line carried weight. The director explained that urgent transactions were needed to complete an acquisition and reassured the manager that all details were in a follow-up email. The paperwork matched, the voice was convincing, and everything felt legitimate. But it was a trap. The director’s voice had been cloned, the emails fabricated, and the funds vanished once the transfers went through.

A similar story emerged in 2024, this time involving Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, when criminals almost defrauded his company in Dubai. One of his senior finance executives received a call that sounded exactly like his boss. “Sunil” requested a significant money transfer, complete with urgency. The scam could have succeeded—but it didn’t. The executive paused, remembering that his chairman never discussed such matters over the phone. That quick judgment stopped the fraud in its tracks.

Do you want to know more about security incidents threatening your company and how to safeguard against them? We have prepared an illustrated paper with practical advice on how to secure a company’s sensitive data. You can download it for free here.

Think about that for a second. Today, it comes disguised as real voices, convincing video calls, and professional-looking messages. And while deepfakes and voice cloning make the headlines, the most common weapon criminals still rely on, especially here in the UAE, is phishing.

Phishing in the Emirates: A Growing Menace

Phishing is still the most common scam in the UAE. In just the first three months of 2025, phishing attempts surpassed all of 2024. Fraud, phishing, and spoofing now account for more than half of all cyber incidents here.

Criminals adapt quickly to local life. They impersonate:

• Dubai Police, sending fake fines or investigation notices.
• Banks, claiming accounts are blocked or under review.
• Government agencies, offering grants or prizes.
• Charities during Ramadan, exploiting generosity at its peak.

With AI in the mix, these attacks have become sharper. More than 80% of phishing emails worldwide now show signs of AI involvement. They don’t just look real—they get more clicks. Twice as many, in fact, compared to traditional phishing emails.

How the UAE is Fighting Back

The good news? Authorities are not standing still.

• The UAE Cyber Security Council, working with Etisalat and the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, launched staysafe.csc.gov.ae, a tool for checking suspicious websites.

• Dubai Police regularly issue warnings and run public awareness campaigns.
• Emirates NBD, alongside Dubai Police, leads safe banking initiatives to protect customers.

The system is working to fight back, but it’s only as strong as the people it protects.

Five Steps Every UAE Resident Should Follow

Protecting yourself doesn’t need to be complicated. Experts suggest:

1. Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments—no matter how urgent they seem.
2. Ignore offers that sound too good to be true. If someone promises easy money, free prizes, or gifts, it’s almost certainly a trick.
3. Never share your passwords or personal details online. Fraudsters can use even small pieces of information to steal identities or access accounts.
4. Verify phone calls by hanging up and contacting the organization directly through official numbers.
5. Use multi-factor authentication on all important accounts.

And here’s the most important part: report scams. Whether to Dubai Police or your bank, reporting protects not only you but also the wider community.

So, the next time your phone rings, an email offers unexpected rewards, or a video call feels a little “off”—stop. Take a breath. Verify first.