The Most Common Types of Fraud in the UAE

New Data on the Most Widespread Fraud Schemes

A recent study conducted by the UAE Government’s Cybersecurity Council in collaboration with TRENDS Research & Advisory has highlighted an alarming rise in fraudulent activities in the country. According to survey findings, 56% of UAE residents encounter fraud attempts at least once a month.

The most common types of fraud in the UAE include:

• Shopping Scams: Deceiving buyers during online purchases or payments for goods and services.
• Identity Theft: Illegally obtaining and using personal information to commit fraudulent acts.
• Investment Scams: Misleading individuals to steal their money by promising high returns.

According to the WAM news agency, fraudsters increasingly leverage artificial intelligence to craft more convincing and sophisticated scams. Half of the respondents reported experiencing such AI-driven fraud in the past year.

Victims of scams not only face financial losses but also endure severe emotional distress. The study revealed that 59% of victims reported significant emotional trauma after encountering fraudsters. Additionally, these incidents undermine public trust in digital technologies and online services.