Scammed in Dubai? Seven most common mistakes you must avoid

Dubai, renowned for big spending and opulence, is known for ensuring safety for all, yet a recent surge in scams has left even seasoned travelers and residents vulnerable.

The uptick in scams has prompted Dubai authorities to launch campaigns on how to avoid getting scammed.

Even with these efforts underway, a quick scan of local coverage shows the pervasiveness of scams and paints a troubling picture.

Understanding how these scams operate is key to avoiding them. Here is a quick breakdown of the most common scams in Dubai:

Impostor Scams

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Scammers pretend to be legitimate entities (e.g., government officials and law enforcement) to induce victims to disclose sensitive information or transferring funds.

Man in the Middle Scams

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Cybercriminals pose as trusted websites or networks to steal logins, data, or impersonate contacts to divert funds. This can even involve fake Wi-Fi networks or QR codes.

Phishing can also be perceived as a 'Man in the Middle' scam. These deceptive attempts involve using emails, texts, phone calls, or even social media messages to impersonate legitimate entities.

Lottery Scams

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Scammers often use unsolicited lottery or sweepstakes as bait, promising big rewards but demanding upfront "fees" or "taxes" to claim them. Legitimate lotteries never require payment to collect your winnings.

Sale of Non-Existent Goods and Services

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Scammers target buyers with bogus listings and sellers with fake payment confirmations. These fake listings could be for items like concert tickets, pets or electronics. In another tactic, a scammer may purchase an item from you and send a fake payment notification but the funds are never actually transferred

Employment Scams

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Job hunting? Employment scams target job seekers with promises of dream jobs that turn out to be elaborate schemes to steal money or personal information.

The tactic often involves fraudsters posing as recruiters or employers offering seemingly attractive positions.

Romance Scams

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Romance scammers build fake online connections to exploit victims financially. This scam is also known as pig-butchering scam. The scammer operates like a skilled actor, investing time in getting to know their victim and once trust is established, they request financial assistance.

Money Mule Scams

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Money mules assist criminals in laundering money obtained through illegal activities like scams, fraud, or drug trafficking. They essentially act as middlemen, transferring these ill-gotten gains on behalf of the criminals.