Dubai Police have put out a clear and serious warning to residents — buying or using stolen credit cards promoted through online platforms is a criminal offence under UAE law, and the consequences are significant. Penalties can include prison time and fines of up to Dh2 million under the UAE’s cybercrime legislation.
The warning comes against a backdrop of increasing online fraud activity, with organised criminal networks operating from outside the UAE using fake websites, fraudulent payment links, and social media platforms to promote stolen banking data and compromised card details.
Dubai Police Highlight Growing Online Fraud Risks
Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al Yammahi, Director of the Anti-Fraud Centre at Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation, explained how many victims end up exposing their banking information without realizing it. Fraudsters create websites that look nearly identical to legitimate companies and service providers, then redirect users to fake payment pages where card details are entered and captured.
What makes this particularly difficult to detect is the timing. Stolen card information often isn’t used immediately — it can be traded through criminal networks and exploited days or even weeks after the original breach, making it genuinely hard for victims to identify exactly where their data was compromised.
Authorities also noted that some people are deliberately purchasing stolen card details online and using them for transactions. This is being treated as a criminal act, not a grey area.
UAE Cybercrime Law Includes Strict Punishments
Under Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021, which addresses cybercrimes including electronic fraud and online financial offences, penalties can be severe — fines ranging from Dh200,000 to Dh2 million, alongside potential prison sentences.
Dubai Police are urging residents to report suspicious banking activity immediately. Acting quickly gives banks and investigators a better chance of blocking fraudulent transactions before losses escalate. If you notice unauthorized deductions or transactions on your account, the immediate step should be contacting your bank and blocking the card — not waiting to see if it resolves itself.
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Fake Websites and Payment Links Becoming More Common
The range of tactics being used by scammers has been expanding steadily. Beyond stolen credit card data, Dubai Police have previously issued warnings about fake travel deals, QR code scams, fraudulent investment schemes, and messages designed to look like official communications from banks or government bodies.
The common thread running through all of these is urgency — fraudsters typically pressure victims to act quickly before they have time to stop and verify whether something is legitimate. That pressure is itself a warning sign.
Residents Urged to Stay Alert Online
The practical advice from authorities is consistent across all of these threats. Use official websites and verified apps when making payments. Don’t click on links received through SMS, WhatsApp, email, or social media unless you’re confident they’re genuine. Be skeptical of any offer that seems unusually cheap or promises unrealistic returns.
Digital payments are growing rapidly across the UAE, and cybercriminals are adapting their methods to match that growth. Community awareness remains one of the most effective defences — knowing what the common tactics look like is often what prevents people from falling for them.
Suspicious activity, fraudulent links, and potential cybercrime incidents can be reported through Dubai Police’s official channels and online platforms. The department continues running public awareness campaigns to keep residents informed about emerging threats and how to protect themselves.