103 Accounts Flagged as Scammers Push Bogus Dubai Visas Online
Across Dubai’s social media feeds and community messaging groups, fake advertisements offering work, residency, and visit visas are actively targeting residents seeking help with routine paperwork.
Verifying Social Media Links Before Paying for Visas and Travel Offers
Dubai Police have issued public warnings urging residents to verify all service providers through official channels before sending money online. Scammers are creating bogus advertisements that offer fake visit, work, and residency visas in exchange for cash upfront. To convince victims, fraudsters operate under the names of unlicensed companies or directly impersonate official entities.
The police action comes alongside enforcement against 103 social media accounts that were actively promoting non-existent services. Online fraud reports have risen across all demographics, targeting shoppers, holidaymakers, and residents looking for routine digital services.
The scam network extends well beyond fake visa services. Dubai Police previously alerted the public to fraudulent motor and health insurance policies advertised at unusually low prices on social media, where victims were instructed to transfer funds to unverified brokers. Fraudsters have also cloned consumer protection websites to steal banking credentials, alongside fake travel accounts selling discounted hotel stays, airline tickets, and holiday packages.
Dubai’s residency authority has similarly moved against unauthorized social media accounts promoting illegal visa and residency services. Police urge residents not to open payment links found in direct messages or social ads without verifying the origin of the link and the beneficiary’s exact identity.
Residents who encounter suspected online scams can report them through the Dubai Police smart application, via the eCrime platform, or by calling 901.
