Latest news with #DubaiPolice
UAE Moments
9 hours ago
- Business
- UAE Moments
No Visa Renewal in Dubai Without Clearing Traffic Fines
Residents in Dubai will now have to settle all outstanding traffic fines before they can renew, cancel, or transfer their residency visas, according to a new policy rolled out by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The new electronic system, which links GDRFA transactions with the Dubai Police Traffic Fines system, is currently in its pilot phase. Under this initiative, any visa-related request submitted from within the UAE, whether for renewal, cancellation, or modification, will not be accepted unless all traffic fines have been paid in full. What This Means for Residents In short, if you have unpaid traffic fines, you won't be able to process your visa. The GDRFA is urging everyone to clear their dues before starting any residency-related procedure. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the GDRFA, emphasized during a recent media briefing that this policy is about encouraging responsibility, not creating hardship. 'We are doing everything for the residents. Live here, follow the rules,' Al Marri said. He explained that if the amount is too large to pay all at once, residents can request to pay in instalments. The focus is on compliance and respect for the law, not making life difficult. Growing Problem of Unpaid Fines Al Marri pointed out that a concerning number of people are ignoring their traffic fines, allowing them to pile up over time. Some residents even owe tens or hundreds of thousands of dirhams. Despite repeated awareness efforts by Dubai Police and the Ministry of Interior, many have continued to delay payment. 'The UAE is a nation governed by the rule of law,' Al Marri said, noting the country's commitment to safety, justice, and equal rights. 'We call on all residents to adhere to traffic regulations and settle any fines promptly.' Proof of Payment Now Required To move forward with visa procedures, residents must now show proof that their traffic fines have been paid. Authorities are encouraging residents to check their status early and settle any outstanding amounts before they apply. The GDRFA also said it is open to discussing payment plans for residents who may be facing large outstanding amounts. Bigger Vision: A Law-Abiding Dubai Al Marri made it clear that this policy isn't just about fines, it's about building a better, more law-abiding city. The initiative is part of a broader goal to boost coordination between government departments and promote safer, more respectful behavior on the roads and in the community. 'Our goal is to make Dubai a city free from traffic violations,' Al Marri said. 'A city where public spaces reflect the progressive image of the UAE.' So, if you're due for a visa renewal or planning to leave the country, make sure your traffic record is clear. Dubai is serious about its laws and it expects everyone living here to be, too.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Dubai Police to launch videocast with heartbreaking stories, awareness on substance abuse
23 July 2025 16:00 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)The Dubai Police's Security Awareness Department at the General Department of Community Happiness, in collaboration with the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, is set to launch the first episode of its new videocast - 'Recovered' (Mut'aafi) - on initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and psychoactive substances, highlighting their devastating effects on families and society, and the irreversible consequences that can range from imprisonment to the tragic loss of life due to by Mahra Al Marzouqi, the inaugural episode features a deeply emotional interview with a grieving father who lost his son to a drug overdose. Through a raw and heartfelt account, he describes how substance abuse turned their lives into a nightmare, recalling the moment he laid his son to rest and saying, 'I couldn't believe I was burying my own child.' His story is a powerful call to action, urging families to stay vigilant and protect their loved ones. Real Stories, Real WarningsDr. Colonel Saud Al Rumaithi, Deputy Director of the General Department of Community Happiness, emphasised that 'Recovered' is a human-centred awareness project that delves into real stories of suffering caused by drug abuse. The videocast aims to steer individuals away from the dark path of addiction, and inspire a sense of social responsibility. He noted that the series will present both tragic outcomes and journeys of recovery, highlighting the importance of Article 89 of the Federal Decree Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The law offers individuals battling addiction a legal avenue for treatment without prosecution—an opportunity for healing and Al Rumaithi reaffirmed that the initiative reflects Dubai Police's ongoing commitment to leveraging innovative media tools in its mission to strengthen public awareness and build a safer, more informed Mahra Al Marzouqi described the opening episode, titled 'A Cry of Pain and a Wakeup Call', as an emotional and cautionary tale. It recounts the life of a young man who fell into addiction due to negative influences and the devastating impact his overdose had on his father, known in the episode as Abu Omar to protect the family's privacy, delivers a heartfelt message to other parents: stay alert, stay involved, and protect your children from the dangers of drugs and harmful episode offers moments of deep emotional reflection and carries essential messages for every household. Al Marzouqi expressed her hope that the videocast will contribute to raising awareness, encouraging those struggling with addiction to seek help before it's too late. Follow the SeriesAll episodes of the 'Recovered' videocast will be available on Dubai Police's official YouTube channel and across social media platforms.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
'Couldn't believe I buried my child': UAE father recalls son's fatal drug overdose
A grieving father in the UAE has shared the story of losing his son to a drug overdose, describing the devastating impact addiction had on their family. 'I couldn't believe I was burying my own child,' said the father, identified only as Abu Omar to protect the family's privacy. Devastated father, Abu Omar, spoke publicly for the first time in Recovered (Mut'aafi), a series launching by the Security Awareness Department at the General Department of Community Happiness, in collaboration with the General Department of Anti-Narcotics on Thursday. 'I couldn't believe I was burying my own child,' he said in the emotionally charged interview, recalling the moment he lost his son to addiction. The episode, titled 'A Cry of Pain and a Wakeup Call,' recounted how negative influences led his son down the path of substance abuse, with devastating consequences. Hosted by Mahra Al Marzouqi, the episode carries a message for every household: stay alert, stay involved and protect your children from drugs and harmful company. The videocast is part of a wider initiative by Dubai Police to use digital storytelling and real testimonies to reach residents and families. Dr. Colonel Saud Al Rumaithi, Deputy Director of the General Department of Community Happiness, said the project is a human-centred effort to highlight both the tragic outcomes of drug use and the possibility of recovery. He said the series will also pay attention to Article 89 of the Federal Decree Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which allows individuals struggling with addiction to seek treatment without facing legal action. Public awareness 'The initiative is part of Dubai Police's ongoing commitment to use innovative media tools to strengthen public awareness,' Al Rumaithi added. The 'Recovered' videocast will be available on Dubai Police's official YouTube channel and across social media platforms. As part of their preventive efforts, Dubai Police have launched several anti-drugs campaigns and programmes targeting students, parents, workers, and delivery drivers to raise awareness about narcotics and online threats. 'We visited labour camps, schools, shopping malls, and corporate offices. This year, we expanded our awareness efforts to four major exhibitions instead of one. We reached 270,000 school students and more than 20,000 university students,' said. Dr Abdul Rahman Sharaf Al Maamari, Director of the International Protection Centre at the General Department of Narcotics Control.
The National
a day ago
- Automotive
- The National
Dubai links traffic fine payments to visa renewal
Dubai has implemented a system that links traffic fine payments to immigration services − including renewals, cancellations and changing status. People with traffic fines under their names will need to settle the payment before applying for immigration services. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai said motorists have to settle the outstanding traffic fines, whether recorded on their driver's licence or vehicle plate, before they can renew or cancel their visas. 'This measure is intended to ensure that everyone fulfils their financial obligation to the country,' said Lt Gen Mohammed Al Marri, director general of the GDRFA, said on Wednesday. The centralised online system links immigration services with Dubai Police, allowing real-time information sharing about traffic fines. How it works The new system means that when an individual attempts to finalise an immigration-related transaction, the system checks for any outstanding traffic fines. For example, if a person wants to cancel or renew their residency then the immigration system will not accept the transaction if there are any unsettled traffic fines. People who want to change their residency status to a new employer will also need to pay any outstanding traffic fines. 'We are in the first phase of the system,' said Lt Gen Al Marri. How to pay Motorists with outstanding fines can pay by a zero-interest instalment plan through Dubai Police online services, in co-ordination with their banks. This can be accessed through the Dubai Police app and website and smart police stations. The interest-free instalment plan is only available for traffic fines of more than Dh3,000 ($817) and can be for a period of three, six or 12 months if payments are made by credit card. A direct debit card instalment plan is available for up to 24 months. 'Everybody should respect and follow the laws in the country. We will support the people by asking them to make an instalment plan for traffic fines,' Lt Gen Al Marri added. 'It'll create a change in behaviour as motorists will try to pay extra attention to their driving.' People cancelling their residential permits and leaving the country have to prove they have no liabilities at the traffic department if they have vehicles registered in their names.
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Business
- Campaign ME
Emirates NBD's anti-fraud campaigns enhance consumer protection
As banking undergoes a digital revolution, the sophistication of financial fraud is keeping pace. As banks adopt advanced technologies to improve customer experience and streamline operations, cybercriminals are similarly exploiting these innovations to craft more sophisticated schemes targeting mobile and online users. Recognising the pressing challenge of fraud, Emirates NBD, a prominent banking group in the MENAT region, has unveiled a multifaceted anti-fraud initiative under the banner of #UnitedAgainstFraud. This comprehensive campaign, launched in collaboration with Dubai Police and the Central Bank of the UAE and featuring a series of consumer awareness videos on social media, exemplifies the bank's unwavering commitment to customer protection. Financial fraud has become increasingly sophisticated, with scammers exploiting digital platforms to target unsuspecting victims. Emirates NBD's proactive stance aims to raise public awareness and educate consumers about real-time scams, encouraging individuals to remain vigilant against fraudulent activities and actively report such incidents. Emirates NBD has remained at the forefront of customer protection in digital banking, committing AED 1bn to digital transformation. This significant allocation supported a four-year IT transformation, which entered its final year in 2020, and was dedicated to building world-class capabilities through significant architecture, infrastructure, operating model and platform upgrades. The bank's approach acknowledges that technology alone cannot combat this threat – it requires a collaborative effort between financial institutions, law enforcement, and an educated public. The #UnitedAgainstFraud campaign emerges from this understanding, representing a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional security measures to create a culture of awareness and vigilance. The #UnitedAgainstFraud campaign, featuring innovative Ripple Effect storytelling, immersive Vox cinema experiences, a 'Spot the Fraudster' campaign, and trending social content, builds on a legacy of public awareness efforts. These include the 2023 #IWillSurvive campaign, an upbeat video adapted from Gloria Gaynor's hit to encourage fraud reporting, and the 2019 Dubai Police collaboration 'It Wasn't Me' video, which provided identity and account security guidelines. The #UnitedAgainstFraud campaign has delivered exceptional results across multiple channels and touchpoints, showcasing the power of integrated marketing strategies in public awareness initiatives. The diverse campaign portfolio demonstrates remarkable versatility in audience engagement approaches. 'The campaign goes beyond traditional security measures to create a culture of awareness and vigilance.' Collectively, the campaign generated an impressive 13.7 million total impressions and successfully reached 7.5 million people, with the 'Spot the Fraudster' series alone contributing 814,000 views to the overall engagement figures. These outstanding metrics not only highlight the campaigns' extraordinary success in capturing widespread public attention but also validate the effectiveness of combining creative narrative techniques with urgent educational messaging. One of the most impactful components of the #UnitedAgainstFraud initiative is the Ripple Effect campaign, which illustrates the far-reaching consequences of unreported fraud. This campaign utilises powerful storytelling to demonstrate how silence in the face of scams creates a dangerous cycle that affects not just individual victims, but entire communities. The campaign features two compelling video narratives that drive home a critical message about fraud reporting. The first video emphasises that scammers thrive when their activities go unreported, creating a dangerous ripple effect of consequences that spread beyond the initial victim. The second video in the series represents a ground-breaking achievement in regional advertising. Emirates NBD pioneered the region's first AI-powered storytelling film for fraud awareness, featuring Hanan's story set in a virus lab. This creative approach uses the metaphor of viral spread to illustrate how unreported scams multiply and contaminate the digital ecosystem, much like a virus spreading through a laboratory. The AI-generated narrative serves as a bold reminder that every report of a scam counts, encouraging viewers to speak up, stay safe, and remain vigilant. The campaign demonstrates how cutting-edge technology can be leveraged for social good, creating impactful messaging that resonates with modern audiences. Another notable and successful activation is the Freej video campaign, where the bank teamed up with the much-loved characters from Freej to raise awareness among Emiratis about various types of fraud activities, and how to avoid them. The 'Spot the Fraudster' campaign transforms fraud education into an engaging, interactive experience that challenges participants to differentiate between legitimate contacts and potential scammers. By offering AED 2,000 as an incentive, the campaign creates a compelling reason for public participation while building critical fraud detection skills. This gamification approach makes the serious topic of fraud prevention accessible and engaging for younger demographics who might otherwise ignore traditional awareness campaigns. The interactive nature of 'Spot the Fraudster' serves multiple educational purposes. Participants must actively analyse communication patterns, identify red flags, and make decisions about legitimacy – exactly the skills they need in real-world situations. By encouraging participants to think critically about potential threats, the campaign builds lasting behavioural change that extends far beyond the game itself. One of the most eye-opening initiatives within the #UnitedAgainstFraud campaign is the Vox social experiment, which provided crucial insights into real-world consumer behaviour when faced with potential scams. Conducted with 220 moviegoers at a local UAE cinema, this experiment created a controlled environment to test how people respond to fraudulent schemes in realistic settings. The experiment placed unsuspecting cinema attendees in a simulated real-time scam situation where a bot offered free popcorn via an SMS link, leading to a mock hacking experience for participants. The results were both sobering and educational: nearly 90 per cent of participants fell for the scam, highlighting the vulnerability of even cautious consumers to well-crafted fraudulent schemes. This activation effectively illustrated how easily personal details, OTPs, and banking information can be compromised through seemingly innocent interactions. More importantly, it created a lasting psychological impact on participants who experienced first-hand the sophisticated nature of modern scams. The social experiment also highlighted the importance of staying vigilant across all digital platforms, as fraudsters increasingly use diverse channels including social media, messaging apps, and even entertainment venues to reach potential victims. The campaign emphasised that scammers continuously adapt their tactics, using various platforms and sources to attack victims and steal information, personal details, IDs, OTPs, and banking information. Likewise, Emirates NBD's video awareness series represents a dynamic approach to fraud prevention that tackles the most current and prevalent fraud schemes targeting UAE consumers. This responsive strategy ensures that fraud prevention education remains relevant and timely, addressing emerging threats as they appear in the market. The comprehensive series covers a wide range of contemporary scams that affect different segments of the UAE population. For instance, the fake Hajj scam video, contextually produced for the Hajj season, addresses the exploitation of religious obligations, warning consumers about unofficial packages that lack proper permits and official procedures. The message is clear: 'Don't let scammers ruin your Hajj. Every year, many people get tricked by fake Hajj deals that lead to nothing. If someone offers you a package without proper permits, official steps, or a real office, it's not a deal, it's a scam.' This campaign specifically targets one of the UAE's most vulnerable demographics during holy seasons, when emotional investment can override rational decision-making. Concert ticket fraud receives attention through messaging that encourages consumers to secure their entertainment experiences by purchasing only from verified websites or trusted sellers. The campaign uses relatable language – 'Don't let fake tickets steal your spotlight!' – that resonates with younger demographics who frequently purchase entertainment tickets online, connecting with their interests while delivering crucial safety information. The UAE Pass scam video addresses a particularly sophisticated form of identity theft targeting official government services. The campaign emphasises that 'Scammers are after your UAE Pass. Don't let them steal your identity. Never share your banking details or OTPs.' Given the UAE Pass's critical role in accessing government services, this campaign addresses a threat that could compromise both personal finances and official documentation access. WhatsApp scams, which often begin with deceptively friendly greetings, receive specific attention in a video that highlights how innocent interactions can lead to financial loss. The campaign message – 'WhatsApp scams may start with a friendly 'Hi!' But it can end in financial loss' – encourages consumers to question everything and protect their digital lives, acknowledging that modern scams often begin with social engineering rather than obvious requests for money. Seasonal awareness is addressed through targeted Black Friday campaigns that warn against fake deals and phishing scams during high-volume shopping periods. These campaigns provide practical guidance, encouraging consumers to 'tick the checklist' before purchasing and report suspicious activity immediately. The messaging combines prevention strategies with action-oriented responses: 'Don't let Black Friday become Black Fraud Day! Shop smart online and avoid shady deals. Safety over sales!' Through its 'United Against Fraud' campaign, Emirates NBD also actively educates labourers in camps on safe banking and financial literacy to prevent them from falling victim to scams. Beyond these social and community-focused initiatives, Emirates NBD's commitment to fraud prevention extends to the academic sphere as well. The strategic partnership between Emirates NBD and the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) represents a forward-thinking approach to fraud prevention education that targets students and the wider academic community. This collaboration recognises that young adults, particularly university students, represent both a vulnerable demographic and powerful advocates for fraud awareness within their social networks. The university partnership integrates fraud awareness into educational programmes and activities, ensuring that fraud prevention becomes part of the broader educational experience rather than a standalone initiative. Students, as digital natives, are simultaneously particularly vulnerable to sophisticated online scams and highly effective at spreading awareness through their extensive social networks. They often have limited financial experience but high digital engagement, making them prime targets for scammers while also serving as influential voices within their peer groups. Furthermore, the partnership extends the campaign's reach into the wider community, as students often serve as informal educators for family members and friends who may be less digitally savvy. This multiplier effect ensures that fraud prevention knowledge spreads beyond the immediate target demographic to reach vulnerable populations who might not otherwise receive this education. Contribution by Emirates NBD.
