Abu Dhabi Police warn against fake Ramadan competitions on social media

The Abu Dhabi Police have issued a warning to the public regarding Ramadan competitions.

These competitions typically offer prizes and, in some cases, the winner is enticed to provide personal details and banking information in order to receive the prize.

The Abu Dhabi Police emphasise that the primary objective of these competitions is to misappropriate funds through fraudulent means.

Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Police have cautioned individuals against accessing fraudulent links to unofficial charitable organisations on social media platforms.

Major General Mohammed Suhail Al Rashidi, Director of Criminal Security Sector at Abu Dhabi Police, explained that the perpetrators deceived their victims by promising financial prizes from Ramadan competitions, subsequently demanding that the victims transfer balances to complete the procedures to receive the fake prizes.

He further stressed the necessity of verifying the credibility of these websites, the importance of not disclosing confidential data, the need to resist any form of blackmail, and the importance of adhering to the requirements of the relevant authorities in order to combat cybercrime.

Brigadier Rashid Khalaf Al Dhaheri, the head of the Criminal Investigations and Investigations Directorate, asked members of the public not to believe any advertisements or messages on social media sites or chat applications that appeal to religious and humanitarian sentiments to collect money without a licence.

He encouraged members of the community who want to do good and help those in need to deal with official charities and institutions according to the law. He asked the public to report those fake websites or individuals who ask people for donations by calling 800 2626 or by sending an SMS message with the required security information to 2828 or by emailing the Abu Dhabi Police website www.aman.gov.ae