DUBAI (ALETIHAD)

As part of the ongoing "Be Aware of Fraud" campaign, Dubai Police has warned the public against falling victim to fraudulent travel and tourism offers, which increase significantly during holiday season.

The authorities warned that scammers use the opportunity to exploit the desire of individuals and families to secure low-priced offers and attractive travel bookings.

Dubai Police, represented by the Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, warned that scammers often create fake websites and social media accounts through which they offer travel packages, hotel stays, and flight tickets at prices far below actual market rates. The aim is to lure victims into transferring money quickly before the fraud is discovered.

The authorities explained that some fraudulent entities use professional logos and images, or imitate well-known tourism companies and licensed travel agencies to lend credibility to their advertisements.

“Scammers contact victims via messaging apps or phone calls to persuade them to complete the booking quickly, claiming that seats are limited or that the offer will expire within hours,” they added.

Dubai Police noted that many victims later discover that the bookings are not genuine, or that the travel tickets and hotel reservations are unconfirmed, after having transferred money to personal accounts or unknown payment links. This results in financial losses and difficulties related to travel and family holiday plans.

The authorities urged the public to exercise caution, and not to be drawn in by misleading advertisements or offers that appear illogical compared to prevailing market prices. They stressed the importance of dealing only with accredited and licensed tourism companies and agencies within the country, or through trusted official platforms.

Dubai Police also emphasised the importance of verifying the authenticity of electronic links before entering any personal or banking data, and to be aware that some fake websites closely resemble genuine ones, with slight differences in the domain name or spelling. This calls for careful scrutiny before a user completes any electronic payment.

In addition, the authorities stressed the necessity of avoiding fund transfers to personal or unknown accounts, and to refrain from sharing banking details, including passwords or security codes, with any untrusted party.

They also called on residents to reporting any fraud-related  incidents or suspicious websites through official channels, such as the "e-Crime" platform or by calling 901 for non-emergency cases.