UAE Engineer Scammed Out of Dh42,000 via WhatsApp
The Ministry of Interior has issued a fresh warning urging residents in the UAE to stay vigilant as online scams grow more sophisticated, targeting unsuspecting individuals through social media and messaging platforms.
In a newly released awareness video, the ministry highlights the case of a civil engineer who lost Dh42,000 in a scam that began with a seemingly harmless WhatsApp message offering the chance to earn extra income without affecting his current job.
What initially appeared to be a simple task worth just Dh10 quickly escalated into a complex scheme. The victim received small, instant payouts that seemed genuine, prompting him to continue with larger transactions to complete “missions” and earn more.
Eventually, when he tried to withdraw his accumulated earnings, he was informed that his account was frozen due to a supposed error and was asked to pay Dh24,000 more to regain access. Realizing he had been duped, the engineer visited the company’s listed address in Abu Dhabi, only to discover it was fake. The only point of contact—a WhatsApp number—had gone silent.
The Ministry urges the public to:
- Be cautious of online schemes that promise fast money or passive income
- Verify any platforms through official channels like the Securities and Commodities Authority
- Report suspicious activity via the Ministry’s smart app or cybercrime reporting platforms
