Fraudsters arrested in Dubai for offering fake traffic fine discounts

Dubai: Dubai Police have arrested a group of fraudsters who were running a deceptive social media campaign offering fake discounts of 30% to 70% on traffic fines, in a scam that exploited stolen bank card information.

The arrests were made by the Anti-Fraud Centre under the General Department of Criminal Investigation.

The suspects lured victims through fraudulent advertisements claiming they could help reduce traffic fines through 'special channels.'

In reality, the group was using stolen credit card data to pay the full amount of traffic fines online. After the payment appeared successful, the fraudsters would collect half the value in cash from the victims, portraying it as a discounted settlement.

Investigations revealed the group obtained stolen banking details through cyber scams or purchased them via illegal marketplaces. The process often involved meeting victims in person, requesting the total fine amount in cash, then paying it using compromised cards—making the payment seem legitimate in the government system.

Dubai Police emphasized that this scheme constitutes a dual criminal offense: both theft of financial data and fraudulent misrepresentation. They also warned that individuals who knowingly take part in such schemes, hoping to benefit from illegal discounts, may be legally liable as accomplices.

Authorities urged the public to avoid unofficial channels and rely only on approved government platforms to settle traffic fines. Any third-party offers or payment services outside the official systems are considered illegal.

Dubai Police also called on residents to report suspicious activities via the “Police Eye” feature on the Dubai Police app or by contacting the 901 call center.