Dh9,000 Fake Visas: TikTok Singer Arrested in Dubai Scam
A well-known social media personality turned his follower count into a pipeline for illegal paperwork across Dubai, leveraging digital platforms to target residents hunting for steady work.
Operating under the instructions of a criminal network, the singer spent two years pushing fraudulent residency offers on TikTok. The group specifically relied on his fame to reach vulnerable jobseekers who were not high-income earners, pitching fake promises of legal status and employment to people trying to improve their living conditions.
Prices for the illegal permits ranged between Dh7,500 and Dh9,000. One victim fell into the trap after network members convinced him they could secure both a residency visa and a job for Dh7,500. The accused ultimately admitted to issuing more than 40 fake visas before realizing the seriousness of his actions and expressing regret.
Major General Dr Ali bin Ajeef Al Zaabi, Assistant Director General of the Violators and Foreigners Follow-up Sector at the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), warned that criminal networks frequently exploit digital platforms to sell illusions of residency and employment. He emphasized that law enforcement officers working in research, investigation, and criminal records maintain full preparedness to monitor, track down, and apprehend members of these syndicates.
