Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
Dubai Police have arrested two individuals accused of involvement in a series of phone scams that targeted several residents, resulting in financial losses totalling Dh11,877,532.
In a statement, the Police said the suspects impersonated employees of official and international entities, contacting victims by phone and leading them to believe that their names appeared in files and cases outside the country. The suspects then threatened their victims with alleged legal consequences, demanding that they transfer the funds to bank accounts outside the country under the pretext of verifying the legitimacy of funds.
The suspects even asked some victims to sell gold jewellery and transfer the proceeds, claiming the funds they had received were insufficient to complete the alleged verification procedures. They also asked victims to book hotel rooms and isolate themselves until they received confirmation their names had been cleared off the alleged legal proceedings.
Immediately upon receiving the reports, Dubai Police formed a specialised task to analyse data and trace the path of the funds. Search and investigation efforts led to the identification of two individuals who were communicating with and luring the victims.
The suspects admitted to the offence and claimed they were working with parties outside the country. They claimed to have received the victims' data from the external parties, alongside instructions on how to communicate with them through a dedicated application.
Police examination of the seized phones also revealed victims' data and conversations linked to the fraud reports under investigation, reinforcing the evidence collected.
Dubai Police called on members of the public to be vigilant at all times, and to report suspicious calls and messages in which the senders impersonate employees of official entities, especially when these include requests to transfer money or disclose banking or personal data.
The police also urged residents not to yield to intimidation and psychological pressure, and to always verify the source of the communication through official approved channels.
Residents can report fraud through official channels via the "eCrime" platform or the 901 call centre.
