Two men are now behind bars in Dubai. Police say they ran a phone scam that drained AED 11,877,532 from residents. The suspects pretended to be officials and pressured people to send their savings overseas. The Centre for Anti-Fraud led the arrests. Legal steps have started, but there is still no word on formal charges, court dates, or whether any money has been recovered. That's according to Khaleej Times and other top news outlets.
Investigators found the scam was carefully planned. The fraudsters called people and claimed to be from official or international agencies. They told victims their names were linked to fake legal cases outside the UAE. Victims were told to move their money to foreign accounts to "prove" it was clean. The scammers promised the money would be returned after checks. It never was. Emirates 24|7 confirmed the total loss is over AED 11.8 million. The date of publication does not always match when the scams happened.
How the scam took control
The criminals did more than just call. Some victims were told to sell gold jewellery and send the cash. Others were told their bank balance was too low for the "investigation." Some were ordered to stay alone in hotel rooms and cut off from friends and family. They waited for fake proof of innocence. The goal was to keep victims isolated and under control. Police found the suspects got victim details and instructions through a special app. The app came from a group outside the UAE. The suspects got paid for each successful scam. Emirates 24|7 says the group's identity and location are still unknown.
How police caught them
Once complaints reached the authorities, Dubai Police set up a specialist team. They tracked the money and dug into the data. The team found two people who made the calls and manipulated the victims. Both were arrested. They confessed. The pair said they were recruited on social media by a foreign group. The group sent them victim details and step-by-step instructions through an app. Each time they pulled off a scam, they got a share of the stolen money. Police searched their phones and found victim lists and chat logs tied to the case. The evidence was clear. This case shows how cybercrime is getting more advanced. It also shows why cross-border teamwork matters. Recent Emirates News Agency (WAM) releases have warned about these risks.
Dubai Police have a record of rewarding top performers. One recent case involved staff at correctional institutions.
Police warning and public response
Police are telling everyone to watch out for strange calls or messages, especially those asking for money or banking details. No real official will ever ask for this over the phone. People should check any contact through official channels. Don't give in to threats or pressure. Dubai Police are tracking new scam tactics and chasing those behind them. They urge the public to report any suspected fraud through the eCrime platform or by calling 901. Quick action protects everyone. The Dubai Electronic Security Center has started the "Don't Get Played" campaign for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It warns about identity fraud and the use of AI voices and fake documents, as reported by Daijiworld.
This case shows how fast scams are changing in Dubai. Police acted quickly and used technical skills to stop this network. But people still need to stay alert, double-check, and report anything suspicious. That's the only way to keep Dubai safe and trusted. The Central Bank of the UAE and the Dubai Media Office both say digital vigilance is key as Dubai pushes ahead with its D33 Economic Agenda and builds its role as a global financial center.
