UAE residents are being cautioned about a recurring scam that has scammers sending fraudulent ‘legal notices’ through WhatsApp, claiming to be from the ‘Central Bank of the UAE.’ Upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the document is riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, clearly identifying it as a fake. The deceptive message warns victims that their bank accounts, including ATM, debit, and credit cards, will be frozen due to supposed security reasons unless they verify their details. Falling for such scams can result in criminals gaining access to victims’ bank accounts and emptying their deposits.

Authorities have emphasized that banks do not request personal information updates via SMS, WhatsApp, emails, or phone calls. To combat these scams, residents are urged to promptly report any suspicious activities to the authorities. In a recent breakthrough, Ras Al Khaimah Police arrested seven individuals, both local and foreign, suspected of swindling large sums of money from residents’ bank accounts. These scammers posed as bank representatives, using phone calls and fake WhatsApp messages to deceive victims into divulging sensitive bank information under the false threat of account suspension. Staying vigilant and reporting such incidents can help protect individuals from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.