Dubai Police urge public to report mobile phone scammers

Dubai Police in call for people to report fraudster cold callers who claim phone owners have won cash prizes.

DUBAI // Cold callers promising cash prizes in return for “transfer fees” should be ignored and reported, police warned, as telecommunications companies step up campaigns to inform the public about scams.

Lt Col Salah Bu Osaibah, director of the anti-economic crimes department at Dubai Police, said such scams happened everywhere.

“People must be very cautious if they receive a phone call from someone claiming they work for a telecommunications company and that they won a cash prize,” he said. “Residents must never transfer money or divulge personal information to those scammers.

“Signs of fraud are evident when the suspect is calling from a mobile number instead of a landline. And why would a person need to pay transfer fees if they actually won a cash prize?”

Lt Col Bu Osaibah said arrests had been made in recent years but that some incidents went unreported because the victim was too embarrassed about being fooled.

He said that anyone being told they had won a prize should directly call the company purported to be giving it. “If there is no prize, memorise the number and flag it to the relevant telecommunications company. Finally, report it to the nearest police station or call the 24-hour free hotline 800-CID,” said Lt Col Bu Osaibah.

Du said it continuously conducts commercial campaigns that warn against scammers.

“Our customers can always check the legitimacy of our campaigns across a variety of touchpoints including our customer care call centre, our social media channels and du shops, among others,” said a spokesman.

Du has also published security tips at www.du.ae/besafe and sends awareness texts to its customers.

The Dubai-based company urged people not to share any personal information, including SIM card details, PIN and passport numbers, recharge coupon numbers, credit card details or other information deemed to be sensitive, with unauthorised personnel or on public computer networks.

“We never request such details or information over the phone. If these details are required we will ask the customer to visit a du shop or provide them on du’s secure selfcare portal,” said the spokesman.