UAE: Beware of e-mails asking you to pay a fee for packages

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Beware of a new scam online: Fraudsters are now sending e-mails to trick victims into paying money for bogus packages, the Dubai Police have warned. It's also a phishing attack — so, once a person pays online, hackers will be able to access the bank account, according to the authorities.

Expert Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, assistant commander-in-chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, urged residents to ignore such e-mails, Al Khaleej reported on Friday.

According to the officer, here's how the modus operandi goes: Victims receive an e-mail that say they have received a package and will have to pay a nominal amount. The message, which may come in English or Arabic, could even have copy-pasted logos from popular companies. It provides a link to a 'payment gateway where they will have to enter their bank account details for the payment.

After the transaction, the victims end up shocked that a huge amount of money was suddenly withdrawn from their accounts, Maj-Gen Al Mansouri said. The payment link is fake and used only for the scammers to get access to one's bank account.

The officer urged the public to be vigilant and be on the lookout for such phishing scams. He also reiterated that bank card information should never be shared online, especially via links that come from an unknown source, the report added.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri said the Dubai Police have been working hard to prevent such scams, which are usually carried out from outside the UAE. Residents can report any scam on the police's hotline 901.

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