Dubai Police arrest scammer behind fake rental offers

As part of its ongoing “Be Aware of Fraud” campaign, Dubai Police have arrested a scammer who used online platforms to post fake apartment rental ads, luring victims with attractive prices and then vanishing with their money.

According to the Dubai Police's Anti-Fraud Center within the General Department of Criminal Investigation, the individual targeted people searching for housing by posing as a landlord. Victims were asked to transfer a deposit or initial payment to “secure” a rental property. Once the payment was made, the scammer cut off all contact and disappeared.

Dubai Police emphasized that this behavior constitutes cyber fraud and is punishable by law, with the Anti-Fraud Center treating such cases with utmost seriousness.

Authorities are urging the public to stay alert and avoid falling victim to similar scams. Residents are advised not to transfer money unless they’ve verified the landlord’s identity, confirmed property ownership, and completed rental agreements through official, recognized channels.

Dubai Police also called on the public to report any suspicious listings or fraud attempts immediately via the Dubai Police app or by dialing 901.

They underscored that public awareness and cooperation are the first lines of defense against these crimes.