An African national defrauded a senior European woman of Dhs12 million, after he had posed as a handsome young man with attractive appearance and persuaded her that he is residing in the Emirate of Dubai.
Brigadier General Saeed Al Hajri, Assistant Director General of the Criminal Investigations General Directorate at the Dubai Police, revealed that the victim became embroiled in the fraudulent scheme after being deceived via social media into believing the perpetrator to be a handsome young man residing in Dubai.
As time progressed, the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator intensified, and the perpetrator succeeded in causing the victim to develop romantic feelings towards him, eventually persuading her to marry him.
The woman’s family disapproved of this relationship, yet she was persuaded to sell all her belongings in her home country and transferred the money to him and travel to Dubai to be with him.
However, upon her arrival, she discovered that she had been deceived by a sophisticated and well-organised romantic scam.
When she realised the truth, she filed a report with the Dubai Police. The police conducted a thorough investigation and found that the fraudster was living outside the UAE, in an African country.
Brigadier Al Hajri warned of the surge in cyber fraud through social media and dating platforms.
He emphasised that these platforms have become a primary means for fraudsters to target victims.
Brigadier Al Hajri also highlighted that advancements in technology and the proliferation of artificial intelligence have enabled the rapid creation of fake identities. These identities are used to deceive and exploit people, resulting in financial and emotional losses.
Al Hajri posits that a significant factor contributing to the success of fraudulent activities is the prevalence of social media users who publicly disclose personal information. These practices, as Al Hajri contends, provide a substantial opportunity for fraudsters to meticulously study their victims, identify vulnerabilities, and subsequently employ emotional manipulation to deceive and defraud.
It was highlighted that the Dubai Police’s Cyber Investigation Department has identified an evolution in fraudulent methods. This is due to criminals becoming more knowledgeable about legal aspects and exploiting loopholes to their advantage. In addition, it was noted that communication with victims is typically facilitated via chat applications that allow the use of multiple phone numbers, thereby complicating the process of tracking their actual location.
He urged members of the community to resist the temptation to give in to blackmail, whether through the transfer of funds or any form of electronic fraud and extortion. Instead, he advised them to seek immediate assistance from the police to ensure their protection and the preservation of their rights in full confidentiality and privacy.
He also stressed the necessity of exercising caution when disclosing personal or financial information online, as banks and financial institutions would never request such information from customers. The importance of being vigilant against cyber fraud and adopting protective measures to safeguard against becoming a victim of such criminal activities was also underscored.
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