The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has issued a warning about a prevalent scam in the UAE, where fraudsters use social media to post fake advertisements offering domestic workers at unbelievably low rates. These deceptive posts often include photos or videos of the maids they claim to provide. One reason this scam thrives is due to a lack of awareness among people regarding the licenses required by recruitment agencies to advertise domestic worker services on social media.

This fraudulent activity tends to spike during high-demand seasons for domestic workers, taking advantage of individuals seeking assistance. Victims of these scams not only risk losing substantial amounts of money but also face difficulties in locating and prosecuting the scammers. Furthermore, the advertised maids may be residing in the country illegally, violating residency laws. To protect themselves, residents are advised to exercise caution while browsing social media, verify information with official sources, and only engage with licensed recruitment agencies, which can be verified on the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) website or by calling 600590000.