Abu Dhabi Police have recovered Dh140 million ($38 million) stolen by online fraudsters over the past two years and returned it to the victims. The recovery followed extensive investigations into more than 15,600 cybercrime cases, officials announced during a press conference on Wednesday.
Lt Col Ahmed Al Shamsi from Abu Dhabi Police said that the force received 15,642 reports related to online fraudsters and successfully returned the stolen money to the victims. Many of these scams involved fake investment opportunities, property deals, and fraudulent gold sales.
One common method used by the criminals was offering cheap gold deals online, which turned out to be fake after victims made payments. In another scam, the fraudsters posed as government officials and asked for personal banking details. Lt Col Al Shamsi explained that some scammers tricked people into installing malicious software on their phones and laptops, giving them access to personal data.
He also highlighted cases where scammers pretended to be property agents or developers. They convinced people to pay deposits for homes or rental units that did not exist. “Always verify and check through official channels before making any payments,” he advised.
The police also announced the launch of their annual “Be Careful” campaign to raise public awareness about cybercrime. Lt Col Ali Al Nuaimi, head of the cybercrime division, said the campaign would focus on fake links shared through text messages, emails, or social media. He warned users to avoid suspicious links and verify that websites have the official .ae domain.
Lt Col Al Nuaimi noted that online fraudsters are adapting their tactics. In one case, a scammer abroad tricked a resident into paying Dh1,500 for a fake chalet booking, later using the victim’s details to open fraudulent bank accounts.
Brig Rashid Al Dhaheri, director of the Criminal Investigation Directorate, said the campaign will continue until the end of the year. It aims to educate the public—especially youth and workers—about common online scams.
Authorities urged residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activity by calling the Aman service at 800 2626 or sending a text to 2828.
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