Abu Dhabi Police warn the public against responding to online fraudulent practices

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Abu Dhabi Police have warned of the recent resurgence of fraudulent practices followed by unscrupulous individuals and entities. These individuals and entities have been observed luring victims through deceptive and misleading means, ultimately defrauding them through fictitious trading platforms.

To gain the victims' trust, the fraudsters have been known to publish professional advertisements featuring seemingly legitimate individuals. These individuals are presented as being associated with reputable organizations or institutions, thereby enhancing the fraudsters' credibility.

The police warned the public against making deposits to buy fictitious plate number of vehicle or real estate or to purchase insurance policies through links to fraudulent websites that purport to represent well-known businesses. These websites often feature offers of special deals to the public in exchange for payment, which is then withdrawn from the credit card used to make the purchase after the payment process has been completed.

The police further cautioned job seekers against engaging with "fake employment" and the deceptive practices of fraudsters. These individuals create online profiles for fictitious companies, often portraying themselves as accredited recruitment agencies or programmes on social networking sites. They then request payment for fictitious job opportunities, ultimately leading applicants to realize they have fallen prey to fraud and scams.

Additionally, the public are advised to refrain from disclosing any confidential information, including account or card details, online banking passwords, ATM PINs, CVVs, or passwords, to any third parties. Furthermore, the emphasised that bank employees would never request such information from customers.

Individuals are urged to promptly report any suspicious calls or messages requesting updates to financial account information through Aman service by dialing 8002626, or texting to 2828. This would enhance police efforts in combating these illicit schemes and safeguarding the community from their potential harm, the police added.

The implementation of protective measures is essential to guarantee the efficacy of eliminating malicious websites that employ electronic codes with the intention of depriving users of their financial resources. Additionally, it is crucial to avoid falling prey to deceptive allurements.