UAE Scam Alert: Fraudsters Exploit Regional Tensions to Steal Personal Data

Dubai Police and UAE Interior Ministry warn residents not to share sensitive information during crisis-related scam calls

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have issued a formal fraud alert as opportunistic scammers attempt to take advantage of heightened public concern related to regional developments.

Dubai Police and the UAE Interior Ministry have both cautioned residents about fraudsters impersonating government officials and using the ongoing situation to try to collect personal data — including Emirates ID numbers and UAE Pass credentials.

How the Scam Works

According to official warnings:

• Scammers pose as employees of a fictitious “Dubai Crisis Management” department or other government bodies and call residents.
• They claim to be verifying “national alerts” or crisis-related information.
• During these calls, fraudsters may ask for Emirates ID (EID) details, UAE Pass login credentials, or other sensitive information.
• If victims provide this data, scammers can conduct SIM swap fraud — transferring control of a phone number to intercept SMS codes and gain access to banking and digital accounts.

Dubai Police has stressed that official authorities will never request personal data, verification codes, or banking information over unsolicited phone calls or messages.

Official Advice to Residents

Authorities are urging the public to:

• Refuse to share personal details — including Emirates ID and UAE Pass credentials — with unsolicited callers.
• Be vigilant of calls claiming to be from “crisis management” officials or similar entities.
• Report suspicious calls immediately via official reporting channels:
  • Call 901 to report fraud cases
  • Use the official eCrime platform for cybercrime complaints

The Interior Ministry also emphasized that it has no association with the phone numbers used in these scam calls and warned the public not to engage or provide any details when contacted.

Why This Matters

Scammers often exploit moments of uncertainty and public concern. When tensions rise and people seek information, social engineering fraud becomes more effective. By impersonating trusted authorities and referencing real events, fraudsters seek to create urgency and trick victims into revealing data that enables identity theft, financial fraud, or account takeover.

Final Reminder

Do not share personal identifiers over phone calls or messages unless you confirm the caller’s identity through official government channels.

Government entities will never ask for sensitive personal data or verification information in unsolicited calls or texts.

Stay alert. Stay safe. Report fraud to the proper authorities