A video grab shows two suspects moving towards a crime site.

Dubai Police have recently arrested an African gang of nine fraudsters specialised in a cyber scam after they had run 81 fake businesses across 18 countries around the world.

Dubbed “Fox Hunt,” the operation revealed a hidden online fraud network which deceived victims into transferring money in return for job opportunities. The gang used multiple bank accounts to make money transfers and deposits totalling more than Dhs32 million.

Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander in Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, said Operation Fox Hunt was “a unique and extremely professional” hit for it prevented the gang from abusing 800,000 e-mail addresses, and foiled their bid to steal Dhs4 billion. Maj-Gen Al Mansouri praised the tremendous efforts made by the force’s teams who arrested the suspects and mastered the use of modern technologies. 

The con artists were busted at their residence inside the country where the e-crime team at the General Department of Criminal Investigation at Dubai Police found laptops and mobile phones full of sensitive information on individuals and companies including bank accounts and credit card details as well as documents and files condemning the gangs’ illegal activities.

Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the Commander in Chief of Dubai Police, said the arrest was a new achievement, adding to the proud record of Dubai Police in ensuring the emirate’s security and safety and preserving people’s money and properties. Maj-Gen Al Marri further reaffirmed the force’s commitment to foiling cyber fraud and online scams using the latest technology.

“As gangs constantly change their criminal methods, Dubai Police exert all efforts to qualify the elite of officers and employees specialised in dealing with latest technologies to tackle emerging crimes,” Maj- Gen. Al Marri said.

A chart shows the details of the crime.

Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jalaf, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation (CID) at Dubai Police, said the case started when Dubai Police’s anti-cybercrime platform (www.ecrime.ae) received a tip claiming that some social media users were fooled by pretentious scammers who promised to help with job opportunities. 

“Hours of continuous work and thorough investigations led to identifying the group of scammers who used social media to celebrate illegitimate wealth registered under the names of others. They were luring victims with fake employment opportunities,” Brig. Al Jalaf added.

“Victims received phishing emails that deceived them into transferring money to complete fake recruitment procedures. Our teams closely monitored the gang and put the details of their IDs, bank accounts, residence, and cars under the spotlight,” Brig. Al Jalaf revealed.

The Raid

As Dubai Police were closely monitoring the group, they received a tip claiming that one of the suspects intended to leave the country. The CID team immediately drew the perfect plan and set a zero hour to arrest the suspects.

Captain Abdullah Al Shehi, Deputy Director of E-investigations at Dubai Police, said the arrest foiled the gang’s bid to drain out the balance of 1,126 credit cards with an estimated total value of Dhs64 million.

A general view of the Dubai Police headquarters.

Captain Al Shehi added that upon analysing all collected data, investigators realised the gang had run its business through 81 fake companies across 18 countries around the world, and they were disguised with a facade of wealth and false imagery.

In December, the Dubai Police General HQ obtained BSi 13500:2013 Certification for delivering effective governance of organisational performance, making them the first police agency in the world to implement and meet the requirements of the British Governance Standard.

Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, praised the efforts undertaken by the General Department of Quality and Excellence and said that Dubai Police steadily march toward governance of its work and police performance in all of their sectors. It comes in line with its strategic plan 2016-2021 that aims at guaranteeing community happiness, safe city, and innovation in resource management.