Dubai: As part of the "Be Aware of Fraud" campaign, the Dubai Police's Anti-Fraud Center within the General Department of Criminal Investigation has apprehended a scammer posting fraudulent advertisements on websites and social media, falsely claiming to offer rental apartments at attractive prices.

Dubai Police urged the public to report suspicious ads or fraud attempts immediately through the Dubai Police app or by calling 901. They underscored that public awareness and cooperation are the first lines of defense against these crimes.

Dubai Police explained that the scammer targeted individuals seeking housing by asking them to transfer money as a deposit or initial payment to secure their booking. After receiving the funds, the scammer would vanish without fulfilling any obligations. They emphasized that this behavior constitutes cyber fraud and is punishable by law, with the Anti-Fraud Center treating such cases with utmost seriousness.

The Force explained that the scammer targeted individuals seeking housing by requesting money as a deposit or initial payment to secure their booking. Once the funds were transferred, the scammer would disappear without fulfilling any obligations. They emphasized that this behavior constitutes cyber fraud, which is punishable by law, and the Anti-Fraud Center addresses such cases with strict measures.

Dubai Police urged the community to stay vigilant and avoid becoming victims of these schemes. They advised everyone to refrain from sending money until they have verified the landlord's identity and property ownership, and to formalize contracts through official and approved channels.