Dubai Police report decline in fraud cases in 2026 following joint awareness campaign

Dubai: Dubai Police have reported a decline in fraud reports during 2026 compared with the previous year, attributing the improvement in part to coordinated awareness efforts involving more than 25 government and semi government entities under the “Be Aware of Fraud” campaign.

The announcement came during the 'Aware Family' Anti-Fraud Forum, organised by the General Department of Criminal Investigation at the Dubai Police Officers Club.

Dubai Police emphasised that raising public awareness, strengthening institutional cooperation and encouraging preventive practices have played an important role in protecting individuals, families and their assets against evolving fraud schemes.

The forum was attended by His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander in Chief of Dubai Police; His Excellency Lieutenant General Expert Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, Commander in Chief of Dubai Civil Defence; His Excellency Major General Khalifa Rashid Al Hamli, Director of the Office of His Highness the Minister of Defence; His Excellency Omar Bu Shahab, Director General of Dubai Land Department; His Excellency Dr Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs; His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; and His Excellency Faisal bin Sulaitin, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Economic Security Centre.

Also attending were Major General Hareb Mohammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Commander in Chief of Dubai Police for Criminal Affairs; Dr Major General Ahmad Zaal bin Kreshan Almuhairi, Deputy Commander in Chief for Financial and Administrative Affairs; along with senior officers, government officials and strategic partners.

The forum coincided with the Year of the Family and Cybersecurity Awareness Month, reflecting Dubai Police’s commitment to strengthening community protection, expanding public and private sector partnerships and addressing emerging threats in an increasingly digital environment.

Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri stressed that protecting society against fraud requires an integrated approach combining proactive policing, public awareness and institutional partnerships.

He noted that investing in the awareness of individuals and families remains one of the most effective ways to prevent crime, particularly as cybercriminals continue to develop new methods of deception.

“Enhancing community security is a shared responsibility that requires institutions and individuals to work together to promote a culture of awareness

and prevention. This enables all members of society to recognise fraudulent practices and respond appropriately. At Dubai Police, we are committed to developing an integrated framework of awareness initiatives and strategic partnerships that protect the community and strengthen public confidence in the digital environment,” Lt Gen Al Marri said.

He added that the results achieved through the “Be Aware of Fraud” campaign demonstrate the value of cooperation between government and semi government entities in reaching wider sections of society.

He reaffirmed Dubai Police’s commitment to developing preventive initiatives and strengthening institutional partnerships to address emerging security challenges.

Major General Hareb Mohammad Al Shamsi explained that Dubai Police established a dedicated Anti-Fraud Centre two years ago under the directives of the Commander in Chief.

The centre was created in response to the growing complexity and changing nature of fraudulent activities, which required specialised mechanisms to detect, investigate and prevent such crimes while minimising their impact on individuals and organisations.

He said the centre has strengthened Dubai Police’s ability to handle fraud reports, analyse emerging criminal patterns, monitor suspicious activities and improve response efficiency.

It has also enhanced coordination with relevant authorities and strategic partners to safeguard the community and its resources.

“Combating fraud is no longer limited to traditional law enforcement measures. It requires an integrated approach that combines specialised policing, proactive prevention and public awareness. We are therefore strengthening the role of the Anti-Fraud Centre while expanding institutional partnerships and raising public awareness, recognising that an informed family represents the first line of defence against attempted fraud,” Maj Gen Al Shamsi said.

He added that cooperation with more than 25 government and semi government entities through the campaign demonstrates the importance of bringing together security and awareness efforts.

Dubai Police will continue developing its fraud prevention capabilities and improving preparedness to address emerging criminal methods, he confirmed.

Brigadier Saeed Al Hajri, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships in improving the effectiveness and reach of awareness campaigns.

He explained that cooperation with government and semi government entities has enabled the #BeAwareofFraud campaign to reach broader sections of society with practical advice on recognising and preventing fraud.

Brig Al Hajri added that the department continues to develop preventive and educational initiatives while strengthening coordination with partners.

These efforts aim to help members of the public identify fraudulent activities, protect their personal and financial information and report suspicious practices through official channels.

The forum featured a presentation highlighting the importance of institutional and community cooperation in combating fraud, alongside specialised awareness sessions examining emerging scams and practical prevention measures.

Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Shehhi, Director of the Cybercrime Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, delivered a presentation on the latest cybercrime techniques, risks associated with modern technologies and the importance of adopting safe digital practices to protect personal information.

Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al Yamahi, Director of the Anti-Fraud Centre, outlined common forms of fraud, warning signs and practical measures individuals can take to avoid becoming victims.

He also stressed that public awareness and prompt reporting are essential to effective prevention and enforcement.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) participated in the forum, with Omar Al Zaabi, Senior Manager of Cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of protecting digital systems, services and customers.

He discussed the role of organisations in supporting national efforts to raise awareness of cybersecurity threats and strengthen the security of digital services.

Dr Jassim Bouasiba, Security Manager in the Cybersecurity Department at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, also addressed participants.

His presentation focused on the importance of institutional cooperation in improving cybersecurity awareness and promoting preventive practices across different segments of society.

The forum concluded with Dubai Police honouring government and semi government entities and strategic partners that supported the “Be Aware of Fraud” campaign.

The recognition acknowledged their contributions to spreading awareness messages, promoting safer practices and strengthening the community’s understanding of fraud risks.

Dubai Police reaffirmed that informed families, coordinated institutional action and proactive prevention remain central to protecting the community against increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes