Dubai: A senior Dubai cop warned residents not to respond or circulate charity donation messages on social networks after a message went viral about someone ready to pay Dh50,000 to pay off the debts of inmates jailed due to financial problems, as a charity gesture before Ramadan.
Major General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant to the Dubai Police Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, said that most of the donation messages on social networks are fake.
“Most of the numbers in those messages are either non-functional or a trap for women to start a relationship,” Maj Gen Al Mansouri said.
He said such messages can be seen on Facebook and WhatsApp and some ask the women to send a passport copy or personal picture of her with a copy of court decision to solve her husband’s problem, which can be misused for illegal activities.
He urged people not to respond or circulate such messages and instead people can go to registered charity organizations in the country.
“If a person shares the message, then he/she is assisting in the crime. They can also be prosecuted. If anyone want to donate money then he or she can go to charity organizations in the country and make sure their money reaches the needy,” he said.
The message, which went viral on social networks, has listed many phone numbers to be contacted in case someone need help to pay prisoners debt for up to Dh50,000.
Dubai Police said that they are tracking the people behind such messages.
