Dubai Police Arrest Two in AED 11.8 Million Phone Scam
Dubai Police have arrested two suspects involved in a sophisticated phone scam that defrauded victims of nearly AED 11.9 million.
Quick facts
- Total financial losses reported at AED 11,877,532.
- The arrests were conducted by the Dubai Police Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Suspects impersonated officials to pressure victims into transferring funds and selling gold.
Why it matters
The arrest highlights the persistent threat of social engineering scams in the UAE, where fraudsters leverage fear of legal repercussions to manipulate victims. The use of psychological pressure, such as demanding isolation, is a common tactic in high-value fraud cases. Authorities continue to urge residents to verify the identity of callers before transferring funds or sharing personal financial information.
Dubai Police have arrested two suspects accused of orchestrating a sophisticated phone scam that resulted in financial losses of approximately AED 11.8 million. The arrests were carried out by the force's Anti-Fraud Centre following an investigation into reports of residents being targeted by callers posing as representatives of official and international entities.
What happened?
According to investigators, the suspects contacted victims and falsely claimed they were linked to legal cases and criminal files outside the UAE. By intimidating victims with alleged legal consequences, the fraudsters pressured them to transfer money from their bank accounts to overseas accounts, claiming the funds required verification.
The scam involved further psychological manipulation. Victims were told their initial transfers were insufficient, leading them to sell gold jewellery to provide more funds. In some instances, the suspects instructed victims to book hotel rooms and isolate themselves from family and friends until the supposed verification process was complete.
Why this is trending in UAE
This case is trending as it highlights a significant financial crime involving a large sum of money and sophisticated social engineering tactics. The incident serves as a high-profile reminder of ongoing efforts by local authorities to combat fraud and protect residents from impersonation scams.
What is confirmed and what is not
It is confirmed that two suspects are in custody and the total loss is reported at AED 11,877,532. Details regarding the specific international entities the suspects claimed to represent or the exact duration of the scam were not available at the time of writing. Whether additional suspects remain at large is not confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
What was the total amount lost in the Dubai phone scam?
According to investigations by the Dubai Police Anti-Fraud Centre, the total financial losses resulting from the phone scam amounted to AED 11,877,532.
How did the suspects trick their victims?
The suspects impersonated officials and claimed victims were involved in legal cases outside the UAE. They used intimidation to force victims to transfer money to overseas accounts and sell gold jewellery for further transfers.
Who is responsible for the investigation?
The investigation and subsequent arrests were conducted by the Anti-Fraud Centre at Dubai Police, following a series of reports from victims targeted by the suspects.
Were victims instructed to do anything else besides transferring money?
Yes. Investigators reported that victims were pressured to sell their gold jewellery and were instructed to book hotel rooms and cut off all contact with family and friends during the process.
Are there more suspects involved?
The reports confirm the arrest of two suspects. Information regarding whether there are additional individuals involved in this specific fraud ring was not available at the time of writing.
Why is this case considered a major fraud?
The case is considered major due to the high financial value of the losses, reaching nearly AED 11.9 million, and the sophisticated, multi-layered approach used by the suspects to exert control over their victims.
In this story
Sources
Trend snapshot
- Topic
- Business
- Trending in
- UAE
- Search interest
- 1000+ recent searches
- Status
- Verified: 3 independent outlets
- Last updated
- Oct 8, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Peak: 20K+ searches, 2 days ago. Strongest in: United Arab Emirates (500), India (500).
Last checked Oct 8, 2026 at 3:49 PM. Trends move fast, so details may change. How we work · How we verify
Comments