Sharjah Police warn: Dh1 million lost in single case as fake links spread

Sharjah: Sharjah Police have issued an urgent warning to residents about a rapidly expanding cybercrime scheme in which fraudsters create highly convincing fake websites posing as official consumer protection portals to steal personal information and access victims’ bank accounts.

Hundreds of cases have been recorded in recent months, with victims losing large sums of money after unknowingly submitting personal data through counterfeit links that closely resemble legitimate UAE government platforms.

Lieutenant Nouf Abdulrahim Al Harmoudi, Branch Director of Digital Evidence at Sharjah Police, told Gulf News that the scam typically begins when a person searches online for terms such as “consumer protection” to file a complaint or request support.

“These fraudulent links often appear at the top of search results and are designed to look official, complete with imitation government logos, forms, and automated messages,” she said.

Once the victim clicks the link:

Upon submission, the website generates an automated message stating:
“Your complaint has been successfully received. You will be contacted soon by the relevant authority.”

However, instead of reaching legitimate consumer protection officers, the data is transferred directly to criminals, who may then attempt to gain deeper access to the victim’s device or online banking services.

Lieutenant Al Harmoudi noted that scammers then contact victims by phone, convincing them to download software or share verification codes under the pretext of verifying their complaint.

Remote access applications such as AnyDesk are commonly used, allowing criminals to mirror the victim’s phone screen and secretly access banking details, perform unauthorized transfers, or make purchases in real time.

Brigadier Omar Ahmed Bualzoud, Director General of the General Directorate of Criminal Security and Ports, described the scheme as among the most technologically advanced forms of online fraud currently emerging in the UAE.

“This is a serial crime that begins with a fake website and escalates into complete control of a victim’s device and financial accounts,” he said.

Brigadier Bualzoud confirmed that both local and international networks are involved in these operations. Police have made arrests within the UAE, while overseas suspects are being pursued in cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, including Interpol.

Police said the financial damage in some incidents has been staggering:

Officials urged residents to check website addresses carefully before submitting personal information or filing complaints online.

Legitimate UAE government sites typically use:

Users are also advised to access consumer protection services via official ministry websites or verified social media accounts of government agencies.

Sharjah Police emphasised that remote-control applications used by criminals allow full visibility and control of a victim’s device, exposing email accounts, photo galleries, financial apps, and confidential documents.

“These apps are designed to mirror the victim’s phone in real time, enabling immediate misuse of sensitive information,” police stated.

Sharjah Police urged residents to:

Authorities stressed that public vigilance remains the strongest defence against such highly developed online scams.