UAE Cracks Down on Rising Online Begging and Phishing Scams During Ramadan

Over 1,200 cases of online begging and fraudulent donation campaigns were recorded across the UAE in 2024, according to the Cyber Security Council. The incidents, which saw a sharp increase during Ramadan, involved scams exploiting people’s generosity through fake humanitarian appeals and fraudulent claims of collecting Zakat and donations. Cybercriminals used various tactics, including fake accounts, emotionally charged images and videos, deepfakes, and the impersonation of real individuals and organizations to deceive victims.

Authorities have warned that phishing attacks often accompany these scams, with fraudsters creating counterfeit websites to steal financial details. In response, the cybersecurity body has deployed advanced technologies to monitor fake accounts, analyze fraudulent activities, and track suspicious financial transactions. The council also collaborates with security agencies and financial institutions to shut down these operations and prosecute those responsible.

Residents have been urged to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of online donation requests before contributing as it could be an online begging tactic. Authorities emphasized the importance of donating only through verified organizations and refraining from sharing credit card details online unless the recipient’s legitimacy has been confirmed. Any suspected cases of online begging or fraud should be reported immediately to the relevant authorities.

Additionally, social media users have been advised to remain skeptical of messages soliciting sympathy and donations, as many fraudulent campaigns attempt to appear legitimate by mimicking official channels. Experts suggest checking branding elements such as logos and images for inconsistencies, as unclear or poorly designed visuals may indicate a scam. Banks and financial institutions have reiterated that they do not request personal or credit card information via email or text messages.

The rise in online scams coincides with an increase in traditional begging cases. Dubai Police recently reported the arrest of 33 beggars during the first 10 days of Ramadan, with nine detained on the first day of the anti-begging campaign. In Sharjah, a real-life police experiment demonstrated the extent of the issue, as an individual posing as a beggar managed to collect Dh367 within an hour by exploiting residents’ generosity.

Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes and to rely on trusted channels for charitable contributions.