Dubai Police warn of fake consumer protection websites stealing banking data

The Anti-Fraud Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation in Dubai Police has issued a warning to the public about a new scam spreading across search engines and social media platforms. Fraudsters are creating fake websites that impersonate official “Consumer Protection” platforms and use them to access victims’ mobile data through malicious “remote access” applications, enabling unauthorized financial transactions.

How the scam works

Dubai Police explained that when a victim searches for a consumer protection platform to file a complaint, they may be misled into entering their personal details – such as name, email, phone number, and complaint description – on one of these fraudulent websites. The scammer then contacts the victim directly, posing as an official employee, and repeats the details of the complaint to appear credible.

Once trust is established, the fraudster instructs the victim to download remote control software and simultaneously log in to their bank account. This allows the scammer to view the victim’s phone screen in real time, steal sensitive banking information, and carry out illegal transfers or purchases.

Risks of remote access programmes

Dubai Police stressed that these malicious applications are specifically designed to mirror the content of the victim’s device, granting full control to the fraudster. This exposes confidential data and enables its unlawful use.

Call to the community

The force urged the public to only use official consumer protection channels, avoid downloading suspicious applications, and never share banking information with unauthorised parties.

Dubai Police further urged immediate reporting of such attempts through the eCrime platform or by calling 901, to safeguard personal data and finances.