A man who had recently secured a Dh800,000 bank loan lost the entire amount after fraudsters convinced him to download a fake banking application and grant them remote access to his mobile phone, prompting Dubai Police to renew warnings against sharing personal and financial information with unknown callers.
The General Department of Criminal Investigation said the incident highlights how seemingly harmless details disclosed during unsolicited phone calls can be exploited by organized cybercrime groups.
The warning was issued during an episode of the Dubai Police Podcast featuring Major Saud Abdulrahman Al Khazraji, who discussed common fraud schemes, preventive measures, and reporting channels available to the public.
According to Major Al Khazraji, the victim initially received a call from a person posing as a bank employee offering loans, financing facilities, and credit cards. Although the man declined the offers, he revealed that he had recently obtained a loan and therefore had no need for additional banking services.
Authorities said the information was later passed on to other members of the fraud network, who contacted the victim again and falsely claimed that the bank had launched a new application and undergone a corporate rebranding.
The scammers instructed the victim to update his banking information through the supposed new application and transfer his funds to an account linked to the platform. They also warned that failure to comply could result in the freezing of his bank account and disruption of financial transactions.
Under pressure and fearing the consequences, the victim downloaded the application and unknowingly gave the fraudsters remote access to his smartphone. The criminals then obtained his personal and banking information and transferred the funds themselves.
Major Al Khazraji said the stolen money, which came from the victim’s recently approved bank loan, was subsequently distributed across multiple bank accounts to make it more difficult for authorities to trace and recover.
Dubai Police said the case underscores the dangers of sharing personal, financial, or banking information with unknown individuals, regardless of how convincing they may appear.
Authorities urged residents not to download applications that provide remote access to smartphones or smart devices at the request of strangers. They also advised the public never to disclose bank account information, card details, loan information, or other financial data to anyone claiming to represent a bank or financial institution.
Major Al Khazraji encouraged the public to verify any claims related to banking services or account updates directly with their banks or relevant authorities and warned against giving in to pressure tactics commonly used by fraudsters.
Dubai Police urged anyone who encounters suspicious activity or falls victim to cyber fraud to immediately report the incident through the e-Crime platform or by calling 901.
The full episode of the Dubai Police Podcast, hosted by Mohammed Ibrahim, is available on Dubai Police’s YouTube channel and features discussions on major fraud schemes, preventive measures, and official reporting channels.
