UAE authorities warn against online donation scams during Ramadan

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cybersecurity Council has issued a warning about online begging and fraudulent fund-raising campaigns, particularly during Ramadan.

The council stressed the importance of cybersecurity awareness in charitable giving, ensuring that donations reach legitimate recipients through secure and verified channels.

The warning came as many citizens and residents have received messages on websites and social media platforms asking for donations to unknown bank accounts since the beginning of Ramadan.

These appeals often claim to support the poor, orphans, the sick, or communities in need, or to contribute to iftar meals and disaster relief. In response, the Ministry of Community Empowerment has urged the public to report any unauthorised fund-raising campaigns or suspicious donation channels — whether online or on social media — by contacting the helpline at 800623.

Penalties for unauthorised fund-raising

The Public Prosecution has also highlighted the penalties for promoting or organising fund-raising activities without the necessary license. In a video shared on social media as part of the Criminal Media Centre’s “Awareness” campaign, the Public Prosecution emphasised that individuals found guilty of operating a website, supervising one, or publishing content online to solicit donations without proper authorisation — or in violation of approved licensing conditions — could face imprisonment and/or fines ranging from Dh200,000 to Dh500,000.

Case of online fraud

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department shared a real-life example on its “X” account, where an individual created a WhatsApp group called “The Path to Goodness.” He added multiple members and sent messages claiming, “Dear benefactors, I know a family of orphans whose eldest brother is struggling with debt due to their financial burdens.” He then encouraged group members to transfer donations to a provided bank account. However, instead of using the funds for charity, he withdrew the money to buy illegal substances.

“Donate safely” campaign

In line with Ramadan, the Ministry of Community Empowerment has launched the second season of its “Donate Safely and Protect Your Money from Exploitation” campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage donors to verify the legitimacy of fund-raising organisations before contributing.

The ministry has urged individuals and corporations to comply with Federal Law No. 3 of 2021, which regulates fund-raising activities and ensures the protection of donor funds. It also encourages the public to report any unauthorised donation campaigns or suspicious activities via the helpline at 800623.

Tips to combat online fraud

The UAE Cybersecurity council outlined five key tips to help individuals avoid phishing scams and identify fraudulent online donation schemes:

Verify official channels: Always check the official social media accounts of companies or charitable organisations before donating.

Be wary of unrealistic offers: Beware of exaggerated deals, unrealistic discounts, or suspiciously low prices.

Inspect branding elements: Poor-quality logos or unclear images may indicate fraudulent activity.

Protect oersonal information: Banks will never ask for credit card or personal details via email or text message.

Confirm caller identity: In the UAE, companies must use verified caller IDs. Do not share sensitive information with unidentified callers.

UAE Law on Fundraising

Legal expert Dr Fatima Al-Neyadi explained that UAE regulations require organisations to obtain prior authorisation before launching any donation drives. These regulations aim to ensure transparency by specifying:

The entity responsible for collecting donations, which must be a licensed charitable organisation.

The clear purpose of the fund-raising campaign, including details on fund allocation and beneficiaries.

The methods and locations used for fund-raising, whether through traditional or digital platforms.

The campaign’s duration and the operational costs deducted by the organising charity.

Dr. Al-Neyadi said that individuals are strictly prohibited from launching donation campaigns on social media without official authorisation. This regulation prevents misuse of funds and ensures that donations go to legitimate recipients.