Cybercrime officials report a surge in online employment scams targeting residents with promises of easy remote income.
DUBAI — Dubai Police have issued an urgent advisory warning residents to remain vigilant against a rising wave of fraudulent part-time job offers circulating via messaging applications and social media platforms.
The warning, issued by the General Department of Anti-Criminal Investigations, follows an increase in reports from individuals targeted by sophisticated online employment schemes. Fraudsters typically approach victims through WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media networks, promising high daily returns for completing minimal tasks such as liking videos, rating products, or reviewing online content.
To build trust, scammers frequently allow victims to withdraw small earnings during the initial stages. Once credibility is established, targets are instructed to transfer larger sums of money into personal or corporate accounts under the guise of unlocking higher-paying tasks or purchasing required task packages. After the payments are executed, the fraudsters cut off all communication and lock victims out of their platforms.
Brigadier Harib Al Shamsi, Director of the General Department of Anti-Criminal Investigations, emphasized that legitimate employers do not request upfront fees, advance investments, or administrative charges from job applicants. He urged residents to verify the legitimacy of potential employers through official government registries and authorized recruitment channels before sharing personal information or transferring funds.
Dubai Police reiterated that offering banking credentials, leasing personal accounts, or participating in unverified financial transactions can lead to severe legal penalties under the UAE’s cybercrime laws. Victims of financial fraud are advised to report incidents immediately using the official Dubai Police app, the ‘eCrime’ portal, or by calling the non-emergency helpline 901.
