Dubai: An SMS comes through, seemingly from a Dubai government department. It tells you to confirm your Emirates ID or face legal action – how do you respond?
According to the Dubai Police’s eCrime Hub, it’s always best to be careful in such situations, otherwise, you could become the victim of an impersonation scam.
What is an impersonation scam?
Government impersonation scams are cybercrimes where fraudsters send residents WhatsApp messages, calls, or emails, pretending to be trusted government officials. Their goal is to trick people into sharing personal, financial, or confidential information, with the ultimate objective of stealing their identity, or money, or both.
Why does it happen?
Dubai Police’s eCrime Hub states that impersonation scams are often successful because they use fear and urgency to make you act quickly. Such scams could cause you to lose your savings, have your identity stolen, or even cause you to face trouble in clearing your name. Moreover, all your sensitive information, in the wrong hands, could potentially lead to more crimes.
It’s why staying on your guard, and reporting such scams can help protect yourself and your family, your business, and the community.
How do I know it’s a scam?
The eCrime Hub outlines the following warning signs to look out for, when faced with an impersonator:
- You receive a call, message, or email demanding immediate action (like payment or sharing IDs) or threatening legal consequences.
- Messages come from suspicious phone numbers, unofficial-looking email addresses, or unverified WhatsApp accounts.
- You’re asked to click links to 'government portals' with odd website addresses or spelling mistakes.
- Requests for payment are made through unusual channels, such as money transfers, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency.
Who should I contact to report a scam?
Dubai Police’s Cyber Awareness Programme – the eCrime Hub – is a public initiative designed to educate, empower, and protect residents and visitors in Dubai from digital threats. The portal doesn’t just educate you on how to protect your data and understand cyber threats, but also offers a secure and easy way to report e-crimes directly to the Dubai Police.
What should I do when I receive a scam call or message?
The authorities outline the following guidelines to safeguard your identity and finances when dealing with impersonation scams.
Step 1: Don’t share your information
Never share personal or financial details, like Emirates ID, bank account, or passwords, over the phone, WhatsApp, or email, even if the person claims to be from the government.
Step 2: Pause and verify
If you receive a suspicious government-related request, hang up or ignore the message. Look up the official number or website and contact the department directly.
Step 3: Take a closer look at the website
Check website addresses before clicking. Official Dubai government sites end with ‘.gov.ae’. Watch for spelling mistakes or unusual website links.
Step 4: Report it
If in doubt, report it. But here’s the important bit – don't delete the message or end the call without saving evidence. Take screenshots and report the scam to Dubai Police's eCrime Division.
Follow these steps to report a scam:
- Visit eCrime.ae or dubaipolice.gov.ae/app/services/ecrime. Log in with your UAE PASS.
- Select the most accurate category for your complaint, such as government, personal, or company related.
- Enter your personal details, including your Emirates ID, location, mobile phone number, and email address. You will then receive an activation code on your contact number, which you can use to verify your identity.
- Next, provide any perpetrator data you have, such as the person’s phone number, website address or personal account name.
- Upload all available evidence, such as screenshots, transaction records, emails, and any identifying information about the scammer. Include proof of any financial losses you went through. Then, select ‘Submit’.
- Upon submission, you will receive a reference number, allowing you to track your case status through the portal.