Video: UAE engineer loses Dh42,000 to online scam via WhatsApp — Ministry issues warning

Dubai: The Ministry of Interior has urged the public to exercise caution and vigilance as increasingly sophisticated online scams continue to target unsuspecting individuals.

In a new awareness video, the ministry warned both citizens and expatriates not to fall for fraudulent schemes that promise quick profits or extra income with little effort.

The video features the case of a civil engineer who became the victim of a complex scam that began with a seemingly harmless social media message offering the opportunity to earn extra income without leaving his job.

What began as a simple task valued at just Dh10 soon escalated into a sophisticated scheme, ultimately costing the victim Dh42,000.

Lured by small, instant payouts that appeared legitimate, the engineer continued to make larger deposits to complete so-called "missions." Eventually, when he attempted to withdraw his earnings, he was told his account had been frozen due to an input error and was asked to pay an additional Dh24,000 to regain access.

It was only at this point that he realised he had been scammed. When he tried to visit the company’s listed address in Abu Dhabi, it turned out to be fake. The only remaining communication channel—a WhatsApp number—was no longer responsive.

The Ministry of Interior is urging the public to:

• Remain alert to such scams

• Verify platforms through official channels like the Securities and Commodities Authority

• Report suspicious activity using the Ministry’s smart app or electronic crime reporting platform