(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) If something seems too good to be true, then it's most probably not true. That is the lesson many residents have learned the hard way after falling victims to cash prize scams on social media.
They are urging others to be cautious when receiving cash prize messages and phone calls, and not "to believe everything you see and fall into fraudsters' traps".
One victim in Abu Dhabi, 'Jamila,' told Khaleej Times that she lost Dh4,000 after falling for a cash prize scam. The Filipina waitress, who has been in the UAE for one year, said she was contacted in December 2017 by a man who claimed that he was working for a UAE telecommunications company, and told her that if she sends him the money through mobile credit, then she will receive Dh200,000 as a prize.
"I believed him because he called and then sent me a message on WhatsApp showing an official ID card. I trusted him and I thought the prize was real."
The 26-year-old said she was unaware about cash prize scams as she was still new in the country.
"I took out the money from my own pocket and did what he requested, believing that I will receive the prize. But I haven't heard anything since," she recalled. Jamila immediately contacted the Abu Dhabi Police once she realised that she had fallen for the scam. She is still hoping that one day her money will be returned.
Many victims are using their own bitter experience to caution others.
Another Abu Dhabi resident told Khaleej Times that she is working closely with the Abu Dhabi Police to help raise awareness about cash prize scams, after she got duped. She has recounted her experience in a video posted by the Abu Dhabi Police on their social media platforms.
The Arab woman, who moved to the UAE in 2017, recalled her ordeal with the scamsters, who eventually stole Dh15,000 from her.
"I received a phone call from a local number telling me that I will be awarded Dh200,000 from an official entity."
She said the man over the phone told her to check the serial number on the back of her SIM card to verify that it is the same number that he has given her.
"I didn't think that he was a scamster because I saw the numbers match."
The 27-year-old said the man asked her for her credit card details, as well as recharge cards, as insurances.
She was also told to transfer money through an exchange company in order to claim her prize, she said, adding that the scamster urged her to not disclose the prize information with anyone as it was confidential. The victim urged people not to respond to suspicious calls and messages. "I hope no one else will be naive enough to fall for these scamsters," she added.
Recently, the General Command of the Abu Dhabi Police began publishing stories of phone fraud victims on its social media platforms, as well as broadcasting videos and awareness messages in various languages.
Colonel Mohammed Al Muhairi, Director of the Security Media Administration of the General Command Affairs Sector, highlighted the importance of raising awareness about new types of fraud that aim to deceive the public and exploit the use of technology.
Last week, the Federal National Council (FNC) members also raised their concerns over cybercrimes, to Lieutenant-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
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