Dubai Police issues new warning against con artists, blackmailers

Dubai: Police issued two new warnings on Sunday, cautioning residents to protect themselves from con artists and blackmailers.

First, the authority issued a fresh alert to residents to protect themselves from scammers and to refrain from sharing their debit or credit card numbers and Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Dubai Police, in a tweet, warned residents to not fall for scammers seeking money through "fake prizes" saying, "Remember that scammers seek your money through fake prizes. Never share your debit/ credit card number and PIN.”

Digital platforms have made it easier for users worldwide to communicate and spread information. But the price of online convenience is that people are increasingly exposed to scammers.

In what is now popularly known as phishing, fraudsters gain control of a person’s bank account by tricking internet users into sending their personal information by offering them fake prizes. They may also convince them into forwarding money by pretending to be from a legitimate company, government office or retailer.

In yet another tweet, Dubai Police informed residents to report extortion or blackmailing immediately to the authority and that it handles all cases with utmost confidentiality. “Don’t hesitate to report it,” said Dubai Police.

“Dubai Police handles cyber blackmail reports confidentially. Don’t be a victim, and report any threat now,” Dubai Police said on its official twitter handle on Thursday. Police have been repeatedly reminding people to encourage them to report cybercrimes.

In an earlier statement, police urged residents to report online fraud using the hassle free e-Crime platform without the need to visit a police station.

Earlier this year, Dubai Police advised residents to report online fruad using the hassle free e-Crime platform without the need to visit a police station.

This Self-Service (e-crime portal) allows the public to record a complaint regarding cybercrimes. To facilitate the procedures, complainants are required to fill out the form.

“This service is specific to crimes happened within the geographical scope of Dubai city,” Dubai Police said in an earlier tweet.

The most common cybercrime issues that should be reported on e-Crime platform include: cyber extortion, online hacking, Internet fraud and online identity theft.

Police said that any hesitation on their part to report such crimes will only encourage scamsters to target more victims.

Visit www.ecrime.ae

Answer the question: ‘Is the report submitted related to the internet or cyberspace? (Email, social media, internet calls, cybercrime, hacking, blackmail)’

Choose the complaint type: Personal, private entity, local government entity or federal entity

Submit your Emirates ID electronically

Submit your address, mobile number and email ID

The platform will text you a verification code to your mobile phone, which you then enter on the platform

Enter the complaint details and submit

Following Dubai Police's warning on Sunday regarding fake prizes sold by online scammers to con people, we at Gulf News have put together a list of tips you can use to avoid being scammed. Here are some common mistakes people do and see how you can avoid them.

Source: Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank and RAK Bank websites