‘Be Aware’: Sharjah Police expose new online scams targeting parents and children

Sharjah: Sharjah Police have launched the fourth edition of their interactive cyber safety initiative, Be Aware, at City Centre Al Zahia, with the aim of educating the community about the growing risks of online fraud and digital crime.

The campaign was inaugurated by Brigadier Omar Ahmed Bualzoud, Director General of the General Directorate of Criminal Security and Ports, in the presence of senior officers, government partners, and corporate sponsors. The programme is supported by Sharjah Islamic Bank and will run for three days.

Brigadier Bualzoud told Gulf News the initiative reflects Sharjah Police’s continued efforts to enhance digital security and equip the public with tools to identify and prevent online threats.

“Awareness is the first line of defence against online crimes,” he said, urging the community to make informed decisions while navigating the digital world.

The platform features four interactive stations focusing on electronic blackmail, phone-based fraud, hacking, and online plagiarism. Officers and specialists are present at the venue to provide guidance to residents in Arabic, English, and Urdu.

Sharjah Police highlighted that cybercrimes—particularly blackmail—are increasing, yet many victims hesitate to report incidents due to embarrassment or fear of exposing private information.

Authorities assured that reports are handled with full confidentiality and encouraged victims to come forward immediately through dedicated channels:

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Al Khamiri, Director of the Awareness Wing at the Criminal and Investigation Department, told Gulf News that many cases stem from inadequate security measures on personal accounts and devices. Police receive multiple reports daily, closing an average of 30 suspicious online accounts and six accounts connected to active cybercrime cases.

Sharjah Police have cautioned families about a growing trend of online scammers targeting children through gaming platforms that include chat features.

Lieutenant Nouf Abdulrahim Al Harmoudi, Branch Director of Digital Evidence, told Gulf News that criminals often befriend young players and offer to boost their game scores or provide special features in exchange for parents’ bank card details.

Unaware of the risks, some children have shared front-and-back images of bank cards, enabling scammers to make immediate withdrawals.

Police have registered cases affecting victims between the ages of 10 and over 20, highlighting that the popularity of online gaming spans a wide range of age groups.

Authorities urged parents to activate parental control settings and maintain open communication with their children about the dangers of online interaction with strangers.

Sharjah Police have reported a surge in cases where criminals contact victims via phone, persuading them to share verification codes, OTPs, or banking details, which are then used for instant transfers. 

Authorities have also recorded numerous instances of electronic blackmail on social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. In these cases, scammers build trust over extended conversations, exchange photographs, and later threaten to release private images unless victims pay money. Demands have started from Dh15,000 and above . Police confirmed that many victims eventually come forward to report these crimes, despite initial embarrassment. 

In one highlighted case, a young woman who maintained a public Instagram account regularly posted her photos and personal updates. An individual began interacting with her posts, complimenting her appearance and belongings, and gradually gained her trust. He later promised marriage, convincing her of his intentions. 

Once trust was established, the suspect pressured her to send explicit images and then began blackmailing her, threatening to publish the photos online unless she paid Dh16,000. The victim immediately reported the incident to Sharjah Police, who intervened and provided assistance. 

Lieutenant Al Harmoudi emphasized the need for the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity without delay.

Sharjah Police urged residents to:

Authorities emphasized that public awareness remains the strongest defence.

Residents are advised to be cautious of:

According to police statistics, Snapchat is the platform most often used in blackmail cases, followed by Instagram and Facebook.

Cybercrime in the UAE is punishable under Federal Law No. 5 of 2012 on information technology crimes. Article 11 stipulates penalties including imprisonment of at least one year and fines between Dh250,000 and Dh1 million.

Sharjah Police are continuing to raise awareness through onsite activities and social media outreach, urging residents to visit the Be Aware platform at City Centre Al Zahia –in front of the cinema  , from 10 am morning till 12 am  - to learn how to protect themselves and their families from online threats.