Archana Puran Singh Scammed: Family Falls Victim to Fake Skydiving Website
Actor and TV personality Archana Puran Singh has revealed that her family was scammed during their vacation in Dubai, shedding light on the growing number of online frauds even in cities known for safety and regulation.
In a candid YouTube vlog, Archana shared how they lost a considerable amount of money after booking indoor skydiving tickets online—only to discover at the venue that the tickets were invalid.
Her son, Aryamann, who made the booking, expressed his frustration: “The webpage where I purchased our tickets is nowhere to be found. I had reserved the medium package for four minutes, but it only lasted two minutes. I assumed it was a bug. I’m furious.”
The incident highlights a growing concern about online scams in Dubai, where fraudulent websites are now targeting even experienced travellers and celebrities. Dubai’s reputation for safety doesn’t make visitors immune to evolving cybercrime tactics. Tourists are urged to verify the authenticity of websites before making online purchases, especially for activities and experiences.
Repeated reminders
Authorities have repeatedly issued reminders, asking residents and tourists to be vigilant when making payments online to avoid fraud.
On July 16, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department issued an advisory with tips to avoid e-fraud. Here are some:
- Check the email sent, and check the links before clicking on them. A link should start with ” https://www”
- Be careful not to provide personal information, and make sure you know who you are dealing with
- Be careful when you do online shopping. Check the reliability and ownership of the store through the commercial register or a self-employment document.
- Be careful not to make any bank transfers to unknown accounts, and do not deal with any electronic payment links sent on WhatsApp or social media platforms
- Verify irregular discounts and offers especially in unknown stores
- Report crimes immediately and contact the concerned authorities
- Do not rush! Do not give anybody your card details (card number -expiry date ccv code or OTP verification code)
