Madhavan shares a message from Dubai Police warning about scamsters targeting UAE Pass and Emirates ID details

Dubai residents are being urged to stay vigilant as a new scam surfaces, exploiting the name of a supposed “Dubai Crisis Management” department. Fraudsters are impersonating officials claiming links to Dubai Police, attempting to trick people into sharing sensitive personal information. The threat isn’t just identity theft—disclosing UAE Pass credentials and Emirates ID details could allow criminals to perform SIM swaps and access bank accounts through mobile banking apps, putting finances at serious risk.

Actor Madhavan highlighted this warning on Instagram, resharing a video about the scam. The content emphasised that anyone receiving calls from the fake “Dubai Crisis Management” department should hang up immediately, reinforcing the urgent need for awareness and caution in the face of these sophisticated fraud attempts.

Dubai Police have clarified that they never request confidential information or verification codes via calls or text messages. Residents are strongly advised not to share personal or banking information with unverified parties and to report any suspicious activity immediately through official channels, either by calling 901 or using the eCrime platform for cybercrime reports.

How does SIM Swap fraud work?

SIM swap fraud is a sophisticated scam where criminals manipulate telecom service providers into transferring a victim’s phone number to a new SIM card under their control. Once this transfer is completed, the scammers can intercept one-time passwords (OTPs) sent to the victim’s number, giving them the ability to access bank accounts, mobile wallets, and other financial services that rely on SMS-based verification. Dubai Police have emphasised that residents must never share OTPs, PINs, or account details with anyone and should report any suspicious activity immediately to prevent potential financial losses.

Netizens react

Netizens shared personal experiences highlighting how real and immediate the threat has become. Some noticed unusual OTPs for password changes on their salary accounts, signalling attempts to compromise their financial information. Others reported that their card numbers—not the physical cards—were stolen and used on multiple websites, requiring swift action to cancel them. Several recounted receiving calls asking to verify their Emirates ID and update linked UAE Pass credentials, narrowly avoiding falling into the scammers’ trap thanks to quick thinking and vigilance.