Dubai scam alert: Experts warn against social media 'discounts' on fines, service fees

Khaleej Times

6 days ago

After a recent scam involving fake discounts on traffic fines was uncovered in Dubai, experts are warning residents to be cautious of unofficial offers related to government services, especially those circulating through social media and messaging apps.
'It may look like a shortcut, but it's a trap,' said Leila Mansoor, a digital risk advisor. She was referring to a growing trend where UAE residents are falling for social media offers promising to slash traffic fines, visa costs or service fees, only to realise later that they've unknowingly been part of a scam.
In the incident, individuals promoted what appeared to be limited-time discounts of up to 70 per cent on traffic fines. The suspects lured victims by claiming they could reduce fines through unofficial channels. Their tactics involved using stolen credit cards to pay off victims' fines in full. Once the payment reflected as cleared in the system, the scammers would demand half the fine amount in cash as their fee, presented to the victims as a 'discount'.
According to Mansoor, scammers are capitalising on a lack of awareness around how official civic payments are handled. 'People are under pressure, financially and otherwise, so when someone says they can settle a fine for 30 or 70 per cent less, they listen. But what they don't see is the method behind it, which often involves stolen data or unauthorised access.'
Omar Qaddour, a UAE-based cybersecurity analyst, said the tactic is part of a wider trend. 'We've seen an increase in scams using official-looking logos, urgent messaging and private channels like WhatsApp or Instagram,' he said, in which scams relies heavily on the appearance of legitimacy.
'It's a form of social engineering, using trust and urgency to manipulate behaviour.' He added that scammers often claim to have a 'contact inside' who can expedite services, which makes the offer sound more credible. 'It preys on the belief that there's always a workaround. But no legitimate service will be handled that way."
The rise of these scams is not limited to traffic fines. Experts say similar tactics are being used for visa renewals, utility bill payments, Emirates ID services, and other civic processes. In many cases, residents are contacted through WhatsApp, Telegram, or Instagram accounts offering to 'help' navigate red tape or clear penalties, often for a fee and without receipts.
Sahar Al Shamsi, a cybersecurity consultant who monitors online scam trends, said people often overlook small red flags. 'Spelling errors, vague company names, no receipts, and pressure to pay immediately, these are all signs. But the biggest one is the channel. If someone is offering a government service on Telegram or through a personal account, that's your cue to stop.'
She recommended that residents rely only on official portals like UAE PASS, ministry apps, or verified websites for any payments or updates. 'If someone says they'll handle it for you for cash or through a backdoor, report it. Even if it worked for someone else, it's not a system you want to trust.'
She also emphasised that part of the problem is the lack of public awareness around how official transactions are actually handled. 'There's a belief that as long as the service gets done, it doesn't matter who facilitates it. But that's a risky mindset. If a fine is paid using stolen card data, it may be reversed later. That leaves the resident exposed, and possibly liable.'