UAE fake visa scam: How a criminal network used a famous singer's TikTok to defraud jobseekers

Dubai: A famous singer turned into a promoter of fake residence visas through social media platforms, after members of a criminal network exploited his fame to reach jobseekers, and market residence visas for sums ranging between Dh7,500 and Dh9,000. The accused admitted to his participation in issuing more than 40 visas, and expressed regret for his actions. The accused said that he started working with the group based on the instructions of its leaders. They took advantage of his fame and presence on the TikTok social media platform, in order to promote their services, adding that they used him because he was famous. The singer used his TikTok for this purpose for two years, during which he was able to sell more than 40 visas. He pointed out that most of the people they dealt with were not high-income earners, but were looking for a job opportunity and to improve their living conditions. He confirmed that he had carried out his managers' orders before discovering the seriousness of his actions and the illegality of the practices associated with selling visas. One of the victims of the fake visa scheme revealed that he fell into the trap after its members convinced him they could issue him a residency visa and help him find a job in exchange for Dh7,500. He said the process took time, during which, he waited for the completion of the procedures promised to him by the group members, after they had assured him that they would issue the visa and secure a job opportunity. However, it became clear that the promises he received were not true. Networks exploiting jobseekers Major General Dr Ali bin Ajeef Al Zaabi, Assistant Director General of the Violators and Foreigners Follow-up Sector at the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA). Picture credit: Supplied Major General Dr Ali bin Ajeef Al Zaabi, Assistant Director General of the Violators and Foreigners Follow-up Sector at the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), stated that criminal groups and networks exploit their victims through digital platforms, selling them illusions by deceiving them into believing there are opportunities to obtain residency permits or visa-related services illegally. He stressed that law enforcement officers, represented by officers and personnel working in research, investigation, evidence gathering and criminal records, are fully prepared to deal with these practices, and have sufficient experience to monitor, track and apprehend criminal networks and their members. Last June, Dubai's GDRFA, represented by the Research and Investigation Department of the Violators and Foreigners Follow-up Sector, revealed that it had dealt with violations it had detected on social media platforms, which involved promoting unauthorised services related to visa and residency procedures. It stressed the necessity of obtaining visa and residency services only through official and approved channels. Avoid being misled by unreliable advertisements and offers published on digital platforms, and verify the source of the service before providing personal data or paying any money. Dubai Police warned against fraudulent advertisements and messages circulating on social media and messaging apps, promoting the provision of work, residency, or visit visas in exchange for money, using the names of unlicensed companies or offices or impersonating official entities in order to lure victims and seize their money. The Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation in Dubai Police stressed the importance of completing visa transactions through competent authorities and legally accredited offices, and not dealing with intermediaries or unreliable entities, emphasising the need to verify the validity of visa offers and job opportunities through official channels. Dubai Police urged members of the community not to be swayed by misleading promises promoting the issuance of visas or the provision of jobs through illegal means, calling for reporting fraud or attempted fraud crimes through the Dubai Police smart application or the ‘eCrime’ platform, or by calling 901.