The Emirates Consumer Protection Association has issued a warning to both citizens and residents in the UAE, urging them to be vigilant when encountering online offers with unrealistically low prices, especially in sectors such as hospitality, hotels, and car sales. These scams often appear under banners like “Exclusive Deal,” “One-Time Offer,” or “Limited Time Only,” amidst a global surge in online financial fraud.

Speaking to Emarat Al Youm, the association’s chairman, Mohammed Khalifa bin Uzair Al Muhairi, said there has been a notable increase in victims falling for what he described as “digital illusions”, with many suffering significant financial losses due to sophisticated online scams involving fake accounts and fraudulent websites.

Al Muhairi highlighted that some of the most common frauds involve fake hotel and chalet bookings offered at extremely low rates, promoted through unverified social media accounts or cloned websites that appear legitimate at first glance. Victims are often lured into transferring money to personal accounts not associated with any registered businesses.

Another common scam involves selling cars at prices far below market value. These offers, marketed as “limited-time deals,” require advance payments to “secure” the vehicle, only for consumers to later discover they were dealing with impostors. Typically, the scam accounts vanish once the money is received.

He noted that scammers rarely provide official documentation or contracts, relying instead on psychological pressure tactics, urging victims to act quickly before the offer “expires,” thereby preventing them from verifying the legitimacy of the deal.

Al Muhairi urged consumers to only transact with licensed businesses and verified websites, and to avoid transferring money to unknown individuals or via suspicious links. He stressed the importance of not falling for offers that seem too good to be true, as they often are.

To help consumers stay safe, the chairman shared five essential tips:

1. Be skeptical of offers significantly below market prices.

2. Avoid accounts without an official UAE trade license.

3. Only send money to registered businesses, not individuals.

4. Verify the presence of an official website and written contracts before paying.

5. Contact the original company directly if you suspect anything unusual.

He also called for stronger collaboration among regulatory bodies, including local economic departments, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and digital service providers, to track down scammers and shut down fake websites. Al Muhairi emphasized that consumer protection is a shared responsibility, requiring collective action to safeguard both finances and public trust.