Dubai: The Dubai Police busted a telemarketing gang that conned people into parting with their money in return for “prizes” purportedly given by a popular supermarket.
Eight Asian suspects were caught in their hideout in Ajman, from where they were calling residents and asking them to transfer money in return for “valuable prizes”.
Brigadier Mohammad Rashid Bin Sari Al Muhairi, Deputy Director of Criminal Investigation Department of Dubai Police, said the gang convinced an Arab man to withdraw Dh7,000 from his account, after sending him a WhatsApp message.
“The message, carrying the logo of a popular supermarket, said that he had won Dh200,000. When the victim called the number in the message, a man asked for his credit card details with pin code, so they could transfer the money to his account. Instead, the suspects used the credit card details to buy goods worth Dh7,000,” Brigadier Al Muhairi said.
The Arab victim cancelled his credit card and alerted Dubai Police, who identified the gang’s location in Ajman.
In coordination with Ajman police, the house was raided and the eight suspects arrested.
Colonel Omar Mohammad Bin Hammad, Deputy Director of the Anti-Economic Crimes Department at Dubai Police, said that they seized 26 mobile phones used for the scam and also recovered Dh23,000 from the men.
“It was a one-bedroom house and the gang leader lured his compatriots, who came here on visit visas, into working with him. Using the 26 mobile phones, the suspects sent messages to random phone numbers,” Col Bin Hammad said.
The police urged the public to be wary of phone scams and alert the police about them.
“The public should be aware [of such scams] and alert the police immediately. Do not believe that such large prize money amounts are given out so easily,” Col Bin Hammad said.
The Dubai Police urged all the community to report such suspicious acts or crimes on 901.
