Dubai Police arrest two over Dh11.9m phone scam

Dubai Police have arrested two suspects accused of running a phone scam that took nearly Dh11.9 million from several residents, Gulf News reported. The Anti-Fraud Centre made the arrests after investigating a series of fraud reports. Total losses came to Dh11,877,532.

How did the Dubai phone scam work?

The suspects posed as officials and told victims they were linked to criminal cases abroad. Victims were threatened with legal action and told to send money overseas for "verification," with a promise it would be returned.

The callers represented official and international entities. They threatened victims with legal consequences. They then told them to transfer money from their bank accounts to overseas accounts.

Some victims were told the amounts they had sent were not enough. They were persuaded to sell their gold jewelry and transfer the proceeds.

How did the fraudsters isolate victims?

The fraudsters told victims to book hotel rooms. They also told them to avoid family, friends and others until they got confirmation that they were not linked to the cases.

Police said the tactic was meant to isolate victims, increase psychological control and prolong the fraud.

How did Dubai Police catch the suspects?

Dubai Police formed a specialized task force within the Anti-Fraud Centre. It analyzed the complaints, tracked the movement of funds and identified those involved.

Officers traced two individuals who were communicating directly with victims. They were arrested, and legal action was started against them.

Police examined the suspects' seized phones. They found victims' data, messages and conversations linked to the reported cases.

What did the suspects tell police?

During questioning, the suspects admitted their role in the phone scam. They said an entity operating outside the country recruited them through social media.

They said they received victims' personal details, scripts and instructions through a dedicated app. They were paid a commission for each successful fraud.

How can residents avoid phone scams in Dubai?

Dubai Police urged the public to stay alert to suspicious calls and messages from people claiming to represent government bodies, banks or other official organizations.

Residents should not transfer money, share banking details or give out personal information in response to unsolicited requests. They should not give in to intimidation or psychological pressure. They should verify any communication through official channels before acting.

Suspected fraud attempts can be reported through the e-Crime platform or by calling 901.