Common UAE Scams in 2026 and How to Report Them

A plain-language hub to the scams hitting UAE expats and tourists in 2026, the exact red flags for each, and the official channels that actually take a report.

If you have just been scammed in the UAE, do two things in the next few minutes: call your bank’s 24-hour fraud line to freeze the card or reverse the transfer, then file a report with Dubai Police through the eCrime platform at ecrime.ae or by calling 901. Speed decides whether money can be recalled. Banks can sometimes claw back a transfer that is minutes old and almost never one that is days old, so the report and the bank call come before anything else, including telling the scammer you know.

This guide is the hub that ties together the scams most reported by residents and visitors in 2025 and 2026: fake job and visa-fee offers, rental listing fraud, bogus company-setup agents, bank and OTP phishing, romance and nightclub-bill traps, crypto and fast-residency investment cons, counterfeit-goods and refund tricks, and impersonation calls claiming to be the police, immigration, or a courier holding a parcel. Each section below gives the red flags and the exact place to report it. A dedicated reporting section then walks through the eCrime process step by step, and a quick-reference table maps every scam type to its channel and the evidence to keep.

Which UAE Authority Handles Which Scam

The UAE does not have a single national scam hotline. The right channel depends on where the crime touches you and what kind of fraud it is. Dubai Police handle cybercrime and fraud that occurs within Dubai through the eCrime platform. Abu Dhabi Police run the confidential Aman service for the capital. Bank and card fraud always goes to your bank first and then, if unresolved, to the Central Bank of the UAE. Spam and phishing messages are reported to your telecom operator and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). The table below is the fast route; each is explained in full further down.

Channel	Use it for	How to reach it
Dubai Police eCrime	Any online fraud or cybercrime within Dubai	ecrime.ae, Dubai Police app, or call 901
Abu Dhabi Police Aman	Scam, fraud, blackmail, online crime in Abu Dhabi (confidential)	Call 8002626, SMS 2828, or email [email protected]
Your bank’s fraud line	Unauthorized card, transfer, or OTP fraud	Number on the back of your card or in the banking app
Central Bank of the UAE	Bank did not resolve your fraud complaint	Consumer Protection Call Center 800 22823, then Sanadak ombudsman
TDRA / telecom operator	Spam SMS, phishing links, scam calls	Forward spam to 7726; report incidents to TDRA
Emergency (any emirate)	Immediate danger, physical threat, blackmail in progress	Call 999

For general, non-emergency police matters across Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, the unified call center number is 901. The 999 line is reserved for emergencies where someone is in danger. The UAE Government portal also hosts a consolidated page for reporting cybercrimes online that points to each emirate’s police service.

Fake Job Offer and Visa Deposit Fee Scams

This is the fastest-growing scam aimed at people trying to move to the UAE. It starts with an unsolicited WhatsApp message from an international number, often using a stolen company logo as the profile picture, offering a well-paid role and a “guaranteed” visa. The catch arrives once you are interested: a fee for visa processing, a training certificate, an insurance policy, or a “refundable security deposit.” Dubai Police, as part of their 2026 anti-fraud campaign, warned of a sharp rise in these fake work-visa cases, with individual losses commonly running into several thousand dirhams before the recruiter disappears.

The single hardest rule to remember under pressure: a genuine UAE employer never asks a candidate to pay for their own employment or residence visa. Under the labor system, the employer and the sponsor carry those costs. Any request to send money for a job is fraudulent by definition. Learning how the legitimate Dubai job search actually works makes these offers easy to spot, and the real UAE work visa process is driven by your employer through official ICP and MOHRE channels, not a chat-app link.

Red flags: payment requested before you sign anything; an offer with no interview; pressure to pay “today” to hold the seat; a visa document sent as a plain image on blank letterhead; payment links that do not carry an official government domain. A dangerous variant is the money-mule “job,” where you are hired to receive and forward funds. That is money laundering, and it can get your own accounts frozen. Report a fake job offer to Dubai Police eCrime if you are in Dubai, or to Abu Dhabi’s Aman service, and keep every message.

Property and Rental Listing Scams

Rental fraud targets newcomers who need housing before they fully know the market. A scammer copies a real listing, often an attractive apartment at a below-market price, poses as the landlord or agent, and asks for a deposit or a full year’s rent to “hold” the unit before any viewing. Once paid, the contact vanishes. A related version uses a real viewing of a property the fraudster does not actually control, followed by a fake Ejari-style contract.

The defense is verification before payment. In Dubai, every genuine listing agent holds a RERA permit, and the property and its tenancy can be checked against official records. We cover the full method in the dedicated guide to verifying a Dubai property listing and avoiding rental scams, so this hub does not repeat that depth. The core signals of fraud are constant: a price well under the going rate, a “landlord” who is traveling and cannot meet, a demand to pay in cash or to a personal account, and refusal to register the contract through Ejari.

Red flags: money requested before a viewing; personal bank account or cash rather than a company account; no RERA permit number; pressure created by fake competing tenants. Report rental fraud to Dubai Police eCrime or Aman, and if a broker misled you, a parallel complaint route exists through the Dubai Land Department and RERA.

Fake Company Setup and Corporate Service Provider Scams

Foreign entrepreneurs are targeted by fraudulent “business setup consultants” who promise a trade license, bank account, and residence visa for an all-in fee, then either disappear with the payment or deliver a license that does not match what was sold. Some operate through professional-looking websites and Business Bay addresses that turn out to be virtual. Others quote a headline package price and then add unavoidable “government fees” that keep climbing.

Legitimate company formation in the UAE runs through licensed free zone authorities and the Department of Economy and Tourism in each emirate. A real corporate service provider will give you the authority’s own name, the exact license activity, and a breakdown you can verify directly with that authority. Before paying any setup agent, confirm the free zone or mainland authority exists and that the quoted activities and costs match its published schedule. Treat a refusal to name the licensing authority, or a demand for the full fee upfront to a personal account, as a stop signal.

Red flags: guaranteed bank account approval (no agent can guarantee this); pricing that only makes sense after non-refundable upfront payment; reluctance to name the specific free zone; contracts that avoid mentioning the licensing authority. Report a fraudulent setup agent to Dubai Police eCrime or Aman, and keep the invoice, the contract, and the transfer receipt.

Bank, Card, and OTP Phishing Fraud

Phishing is the most common way UAE residents lose money directly from an account. It arrives as an SMS, email, or call that appears to come from your bank, a delivery company, or a government service, carrying a link to a fake login page or a request to “confirm” a one-time password (OTP). The moment you enter card details or read out an OTP, the fraudster completes a transaction. The Central Bank of the UAE is explicit in its Consumer Protection Standards that banks must warn customers never to share their PIN or security information, precisely because scammers rely on that single moment of trust.

No bank, telecom, or police force will ever ask for your full card number, PIN, or OTP by phone or message. An OTP exists to authorize a payment; giving it away authorizes the scammer’s payment. If you have shared card details or an OTP, call your bank’s fraud line immediately to freeze the card, then file an eCrime or Aman report. If a fraudulent transfer has locked or flagged your account, understand why UAE bank accounts get frozen and how to unfreeze them, because fraud investigations are a common trigger.

Red flags: any message with a link asking you to log in or verify; a caller who already knows some of your details and asks for the rest; urgency about a “blocked” account or a pending refund; a request for the code you just received by SMS. Report the scam number or message to your bank, to Dubai Police eCrime or Aman, and forward spam texts to 7726 so the operator can act on the sender.

Romance and Nightclub Bill Dating Scams

Romance fraud runs on patience. A stranger builds a relationship over dating apps or social media across weeks, never quite able to meet, and eventually needs money for an emergency, a customs charge on a gift, or an investment they want to share with you. A separate, very physical version targets men in Dubai: a match on a dating app suggests meeting at a specific upscale venue, orders expensive drinks, and then leaves the victim with a bill that has run into the thousands of dirhams, with staff pressuring payment. Dubai Police have investigated these coordinated nightclub-billing rackets and advise victims not to be intimidated into paying on the spot.

If you meet through an app, keep the first meeting short, public, and self-funded, and never let a venue you did not choose dictate the bill. Using reputable dating apps in Dubai and keeping conversations on the platform reduces exposure to fake profiles that migrate you to WhatsApp early. Be aware that romance scams often turn into blackmail once intimate images are shared; sextortion and the sharing of private images are criminal offenses, and the same conduct intersects with the UAE social media laws and fines that penalize misuse of personal content.

Red flags: a fast jump from the app to WhatsApp; refusal to video-call; a partner who insists on a specific bar or club; any request for money, gift cards, or an “investment”; threats to expose images unless you pay. Report romance fraud and blackmail to Dubai Police eCrime or the Aman service, both of which handle these cases confidentially. In an active blackmail situation where you feel threatened, call 999.

Investment, Crypto, and Fast-Residency Scams

Investment fraud in the UAE clusters around three lures: crypto platforms showing fake profits, “guaranteed return” funds, and offers of a second passport or fast residency for a fee. The crypto version, often called pig-butchering, blends with romance scams: trust is built socially, then the victim is moved onto a fake trading site that displays growing balances until a withdrawal is attempted and the money is gone. The residency version promises a Golden Visa or foreign citizenship far cheaper and faster than the official route, collecting fees for a document that never comes.

The reality check is simple. No legitimate investment guarantees returns, and no legitimate residency is sold through a WhatsApp broker at a discount to the official government fee. Genuine UAE residency runs through ICP and GDRFA, and the Golden Visa has defined, published thresholds. If you are being asked to move large amounts abroad quickly to “lock in” an opportunity, slow down and read how moving large sums out of the UAE is meant to work through regulated channels, which fraudsters try to bypass. When a platform blocks your withdrawal or demands more fees before releasing funds, that is the confirmation of a scam, not a temporary glitch.

Red flags: guaranteed or unusually high returns; pressure to reinvest instead of withdraw; fees demanded before you can take money out; a “second passport” or fast Golden Visa offered off-market; an unregulated platform you were introduced to socially. Report investment and crypto fraud to Dubai Police eCrime or Aman, and keep the platform URL, wallet addresses, and every transfer record.

Counterfeit Goods and Fake Refund Scams

Online shopping fraud takes two shapes. In the first, a fake store or social-media seller advertises branded goods, event tickets, or travel deals at a steep discount, takes payment, and either ships a counterfeit or nothing at all. Dubai Police have repeatedly warned about fake ticket and holiday-booking pages around popular events and seasons. In the second, the “refund” scam, you are contacted about a refund you did not request and asked to install an app or share card details so the money can be “sent back,” which instead lets the scammer take money out.

Pay only through the platform’s protected checkout, never by direct transfer to a seller’s personal account, and treat any unsolicited refund as a red flag rather than good news. A real refund is credited back to your original payment method automatically; it never requires you to install remote-access software or share an OTP. For tickets and travel, buy from the official organizer or a known, licensed agent, and verify the web address rather than trusting a social-media link.

Red flags: prices far below market for in-demand goods or tickets; payment demanded to a personal account or by transfer app; a refund you did not initiate; a request to install an app to “receive” money. Report the seller and the payment to Dubai Police eCrime or Aman, and dispute the charge with your bank, which may be able to reverse a card payment to a fraudulent merchant.

Impersonation Scams: Fake Police, Immigration, and Courier Calls

Impersonation is the most intimidating category because it weaponizes authority. A caller or message claims to be Dubai Police, the immigration department, the Central Bank, or a courier such as a customs office, and says there is a fine, a legal case, a suspicious transaction, or a parcel held pending a “customs fee.” The goal is either an immediate payment or the personal and banking details needed to drain your account. These smishing campaigns often spoof official names and logos to look real.

No UAE government body, bank, or police force collects fines or fees by calling you and asking for a transfer, a card number, or an OTP. Fines are paid only through official portals, and a genuine courier does not demand customs charges by asking you to click a link and enter card details. If you receive such a call, hang up and verify independently by calling the organization’s published number, not any number the caller gives you. Spreading or acting on these fraudulent messages can also carry legal consequences under the country’s cybercrime and content rules, which is another reason to report rather than forward them.

Red flags: a caller claiming authority and demanding immediate payment; threats of arrest, deportation, or account closure; a “customs fee” on a parcel you were not expecting; a link to pay a fine outside an official portal; a request for an OTP or card details. Report impersonation to Dubai Police eCrime or Aman, forward the scam SMS to 7726, and report phishing infrastructure to TDRA’s cyber incident reporting service.

How to Report a Scam in the UAE

Reporting a scam in the UAE is free, and each channel is designed for a different situation. The most-used route for any online fraud in Dubai is the eCrime platform run by Dubai Police, which lets you log a cybercrime complaint from your phone or computer, attach evidence, and receive a reference number. In Abu Dhabi, the equivalent is the confidential Aman service on 8002626. The table below maps each scam type to where it goes and what evidence to preserve before you report.

Scam type	Where to report	Evidence to keep
Fake job / visa fee	Dubai Police eCrime or Abu Dhabi Aman	WhatsApp chat, offer letter, sender’s number, payment receipt
Rental / property listing	eCrime or Aman; broker issues to DLD/RERA	Listing screenshot, chat, “contract,” account paid to
Fake company setup	eCrime or Aman	Invoice, agreement, transfer receipt, agent’s details
Bank / card / OTP phishing	Your bank first, then eCrime/Aman; escalate to CBUAE	Transaction alerts, the message or number, timestamps
Romance / nightclub bill	eCrime or Aman; 999 if threatened	Profile, chat, transfers, venue receipt
Investment / crypto / residency	eCrime or Aman	Platform URL, wallet addresses, deposits, correspondence
Counterfeit goods / refund	eCrime or Aman; dispute with your bank	Order page, payment proof, seller contact, chat
Impersonation / spam	eCrime or Aman; forward SMS to 7726; TDRA	Caller number, message screenshot, any link

Reporting a Scam Through Dubai Police eCrime, Step by Step

First, secure your money. Call your bank’s 24-hour fraud line to freeze the card or block the transfer, and change the passwords for any account the scammer may have touched. This comes before the police report because recall windows are short.

Second, gather your evidence. Take clean screenshots of the chat, the profile or website, the sender’s phone number or email, and every payment record with dates and amounts. Do not delete the conversation, even if the scammer blocks you.

Third, open the eCrime platform on the Dubai Police website or app, or call 901. Choose the cybercrime or fraud category that matches your case.

Fourth, complete the report. Describe what happened in order, with the date, the amount lost, and how the scammer contacted you, then upload the evidence you collected. The service is for crimes connected to Dubai; for Abu Dhabi use Aman on 8002626.

Fifth, save your reference number. You will receive a case reference that lets you follow up. Give the same reference to your bank so the fraud and the police report are linked, which strengthens any attempt to reverse the payment.

What to Do Immediately If You Have Been Scammed

The first hour matters more than anything else. Contact your bank to stop or recall the payment, file the police report to obtain a reference, and preserve every message. Whether you get your money back depends almost entirely on speed and payment method. A card payment to a fraudulent merchant can sometimes be disputed and reversed through your bank. A bank transfer can occasionally be recalled if flagged within minutes. Crypto transfers and cash are effectively unrecoverable, which is exactly why scammers prefer them.

If your bank does not resolve a fraud complaint fairly, escalate. Under Central Bank rules you complain to the bank first, and if it is unresolved you can take the case to the CBUAE Consumer Protection Call Center on 800 22823 and, ultimately, to the independent Sanadak ombudsman. Keep your reference numbers throughout. For sending money safely in future, and to recognize the routing scammers exploit, our guide to sending money from the UAE and the UAE bank KYC and compliance rules explain the legitimate checks that fraud tries to sidestep.

FAQ

How do I report a scam in Dubai?

File a report through the Dubai Police eCrime platform at ecrime.ae, on the Dubai Police app, or by calling 901. Choose the fraud or cybercrime category, describe what happened with dates and amounts, and upload evidence such as chats, screenshots, and payment receipts. You will receive a case reference number to follow up. For emergencies where you are in danger, call 999.

How do I report a scam in Abu Dhabi?

Use the Abu Dhabi Police Aman service, which handles scam, fraud, blackmail, and online-crime tips confidentially. You can call 8002626, send an SMS to 2828, or email [email protected]. Aman guarantees the identity of the person reporting is kept confidential, which makes it useful when you fear retaliation from a blackmailer.

Is eCrime free to use?

Yes. Reporting a cybercrime or scam through the Dubai Police eCrime platform is free, as is calling 901 or using the Aman service in Abu Dhabi. No legitimate police channel charges a fee to accept a fraud report. Anyone asking you to pay to “process” or “unlock” a police complaint is running another scam.

Can I get my money back after a scam in the UAE?

Sometimes, and speed decides it. A card payment to a fraudulent merchant can often be disputed and reversed through your bank, and a bank transfer can occasionally be recalled if flagged within minutes. Crypto payments and cash are almost never recoverable. Call your bank’s fraud line first, then file the police report and give the bank your case reference.

What is the difference between calling 901 and 999 in the UAE?

Call 999 for emergencies where someone is in immediate danger, such as an active threat or blackmail in progress. Call 901 for non-emergency police matters, including reporting most fraud and scams, across Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. For online fraud specifically, the eCrime platform lets you file and attach evidence without a phone call.

How do I report a phishing SMS or scam call?

Forward the spam or phishing SMS to 7726, a free shortcode operated with the telecom providers, so the sender can be acted on. Report the fraud itself to Dubai Police eCrime or Abu Dhabi Aman, and report phishing websites or wider cyber incidents to TDRA. Never click the link; screenshot the message and the sender’s number first.

A recruiter is asking me to pay a visa fee. Is that a scam?

Almost certainly. A legitimate UAE employer never asks a candidate to pay for their own work or residence visa; the sponsor carries that cost through official ICP and MOHRE channels. Any request to pay a “refundable deposit,” “training fee,” or “visa processing” charge before you start work is a fraud signal. Stop, keep the messages, and report it to eCrime or Aman.

Someone is blackmailing me over private photos. What should I do?

Do not pay, because payment rarely stops the demands. Stop responding, keep the messages and the account details, and report immediately to Dubai Police eCrime or the confidential Aman service; call 999 if you feel physically threatened. Sextortion and sharing private images are criminal offenses in the UAE, and the police handle these cases discreetly.

How do I escalate if my bank will not refund a fraudulent transaction?

Complain to the bank in writing first and keep the reference. If it is unresolved or the response is unsatisfactory, contact the Central Bank of the UAE Consumer Protection Call Center on 800 22823, and if still unresolved, escalate to the independent Sanadak ombudsman. Keep your police case reference and all evidence, as this strengthens the complaint.

Are online scam reports confidential in the UAE?

The Abu Dhabi Aman service is expressly confidential and protects the identity of anyone providing information. Dubai Police eCrime reports are handled by the cybercrime unit as part of a formal investigation. In both cases, reporting is treated seriously and discreetly, which is why victims of romance fraud and blackmail are encouraged to come forward rather than stay silent.

Official Sources

• Dubai Police – eCrime Platform
• Dubai Police – Cybercrime Reporting Service
• Abu Dhabi Police – Aman Confidential Reporting Service
• UAE Government Portal – Report Cybercrimes Online
• Central Bank of the UAE – Consumer Protection Standards
• Central Bank of the UAE – Consumer Protection
• Sanadak – Independent Financial Ombudsman Unit
• TDRA – Report a Cyber Incident

This guide is for informational purposes only. UAE regulations, reporting channels, and contact numbers are subject to change. Scam tactics evolve constantly, and figures for reported losses come from law-enforcement statements as reported in mid-2026. Always verify current reporting procedures with the relevant official authority, and contact Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police, or your bank directly before acting on any information here.