Dubai Police have issued an important warning to citizens and residents across the United Arab Emirates, particularly those seeking part-time employment or additional income, after highlighting fraudulent recruitment schemes designed to steal banking information and involve unsuspecting jobseekers in potentially illegal financial transactions.

The Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation explained that scammers frequently exploit people looking to improve their income by advertising attractive employment opportunities through websites, social media platforms and messaging applications. These advertisements often promise easy earnings in exchange for simple tasks, but may ultimately expose applicants to financial fraud or misuse of their personal bank accounts.

Dubai Police identified three important indicators that can help applicants distinguish legitimate employment opportunities from fraudulent offers. First, genuine vacancies must come from legally licensed businesses with verifiable identities and addresses. Second, legitimate employers should not demand payments or recruitment fees from applicants. Third, genuine employment arrangements should not require applicants to use their personal bank accounts to receive and transfer money on behalf of unknown parties.

The Anti-Fraud Centre highlighted a particularly dangerous scheme in which supposed employers ask individuals to receive payments into their personal accounts and forward the funds to another person or organisation in exchange for a commission. Police warned that such arrangements could be connected to illegal financial activities and urged applicants to immediately stop dealing with anyone making these requests.

Authorities also stressed that jobseekers must never disclose their banking information or one-time passwords, commonly known as OTPs, to individuals or companies claiming to offer employment. Residents were advised to avoid unfamiliar links distributed through messaging applications and social media, even when the messages appear professional or promise unusually attractive financial rewards.

The warning forms part of Dubai Police’s participation in the Ministry of Interior’s nationwide campaign, “A Safe UAE Starts with Your Digital Awareness,” launched in conjunction with Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October. The initiative aims to strengthen public awareness of cybercrime and encourage safer digital practices among different segments of society.

Dubai Police encouraged citizens and residents to verify company registration details through official channels before accepting employment offers or sharing personal information. Anyone encountering suspicious recruitment advertisements, fraudulent accounts or potentially malicious links can report them through the Dubai Police e-Crime platform or by calling 901. Authorities emphasised that awareness, caution and independent verification remain essential safeguards against employment-related fraud.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)