UAE Officials Warn of Increasing Cyber Fraud

Feb 26, 2026

66 min

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Feb 26, 2026 11:30

Cyber fraud on the rise in UAE: Official warns public

## Rise in Cyber Fraud

Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Government Cybersecurity Council, has issued a warning about the growing threat of online scams in the country. These scams often involve fake social media accounts and videos designed to deceive victims into paying large sums of money.

## Case Study

During a recent event in Abu Dhabi, Al Kuwaiti highlighted a case involving a 67-year-old retiree who was targeted through Instagram. After sharing personal details, the victim was contacted by a scammer who sent a video of a woman allegedly being assaulted. The victim was then coerced into paying Dh150,000 under threat.

## Scam Techniques

The fraudsters used advanced technology, including deepfake videos, to create convincing but false scenarios. They even manipulated phone numbers to appear as if they were calling from a UAE embassy, further pressuring the victim.

## Preventive Measures

Al Kuwaiti emphasized the importance of verifying information and being cautious about sharing personal details online. He urged the public to report any suspicious activities to authorities.

## Corporate Cybersecurity

A separate study by Kaspersky revealed that 64% of UAE companies plan to outsource some cybersecurity functions to enhance protection. The need for continuous security and specialized expertise are driving this trend, as businesses seek to mitigate the increasing digital threats.

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