Dubai Police warn residents against fake consumer protection websites used in bank fraud

The Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation at Dubai police (CID) warned against opening any electronic links or downloading any unknown apps claiming to be consumer protection, emphasising the necessity of accessing official consumer protection channels when filing a complaint and not sharing banking data with any unauthorised entity.

The Centre reaffirmed the importance of community awareness regarding the fraudulent method used by scammers through electronic links which lead to a fake website impersonating consumer protection, which they exploit to access phone data via malicious remote control programmes to transfer funds from victims’ accounts.

The centre explained that some people who want to file a complaint with consumer protection against an entity make the mistake of entering a fake site and filling in their personal data including name, email, phone number, and the subject of the complaint, after which the scammer contacts them directly, claiming to be an official employee, and retells the details of the complaint written by the victim on the site to deceive them into believing their credibility.

The centre added that the scammer asks the victim to download remote control apps, then requests them to log into their bank account while these apps are running, thereby enabling them to view the phone screen and steal bank account data to use in financial transfers or illegal purchases.

These malicious apps used by scammers are designed for the remote control of computers and smartphones where the device screen appears, granting them full ability to view confidential data and use it illegally, the centre explained.

The Centre stressed the necessity of immediately reporting any similar attempts via the eCrime platform or through the number 901, to protect money and personal data.