The UAE Cyber Security Council has reported a concerning rise in online begging and fraudulent donation campaigns, with over 1,200 cases recorded across the country in 2024.
The alarming trend is most pronounced during the month of Ramadan, when many residents are more likely to be moved by humanitarian causes and willing to contribute to charitable efforts.
The online begging scams and fraudulent campaigns typically prey on the generosity of individuals and companies by promoting fake humanitarian stories, often involving deeply emotional visuals and fabricated personal accounts.
Many of these scams claim to collect donations for Zakat or other charitable causes. The Cyber Security Council stated that fraudsters frequently use deceptive tactics, including creating fake accounts, posting emotionally charged images and videos, and even using advanced technologies like deep fakes to impersonate real people.
According to the Council, scammers have also set up fake websites designed to appear legitimate in an effort to gain public trust.
These fraudulent operations often target unsuspecting donors, making it difficult for them to distinguish between real and fake charitable organizations.
In response, the Cyber Security Council has been leveraging modern technologies to monitor fraudulent patterns, track suspicious financial transfers, and identify fake accounts.
The authority has also been collaborating with security agencies and financial institutions to shut down fraudulent operations and bring those responsible to justice.
The Council has urged residents to remain vigilant and to verify the authenticity of any online donation request they encounter.
“Donations should only be made through authorized entities that are verified by relevant authorities in the UAE,” the Cyber Security Council emphasized.
The authority also cautioned residents against sharing personal information, such as credit card numbers, unless they have confirmed the legitimacy of the request.
Additionally, residents have been advised to report any suspicious online begging activity immediately to the appropriate authorities. Social media platforms have become a major avenue for these fraudulent campaigns.
The Cyber Security Council has warned residents to exercise caution when receiving donation requests via social media. Scammers often use emotional appeals to gain sympathy and exploit people’s desire to help those in need.
Residents have been urged to verify social media accounts through official channels and to be wary of messages containing unclear logos, misleading branding, or requests for personal information via email or text messages.
The rise in fraudulent activities coincides with an increase in real-life cases of begging in the UAE, particularly during Ramadan. Dubai Police recently announced the arrest of 33 beggars during the first ten days of Ramadan as part of a heightened anti-begging campaign.
Additionally, in Sharjah, a police experiment demonstrated how easy it was for a man to collect Dh367 in just one hour by pretending to be a beggar and appealing to residents’ emotions.
As the UAE continues to grapple with the rise in online fraud, the Cyber Security Council is stressing the importance of community awareness.
Residents are encouraged to remain cautious, verify all donation requests, and report any suspicious activity to protect themselves and others from falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.