Dubai Police Warn Residents About New “Accidental Transfer” Scam

Dubai Police have issued an urgent warning to residents about a sophisticated new financial scam involving unexpected money transfers from unknown sources. Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution to avoid becoming victims of this fraudulent scheme.

The scam typically begins with a phone call informing the target that money has been “accidentally” transferred into their bank account. The caller then requests the recipient to return the funds by sending them to another account. Police emphasize that complying with such requests is extremely dangerous, as the transferred money may be linked to criminal activities, including fraud, theft, or even drug trafficking.

According to Dubai Police’s Anti-Fraud Center, scammers use this method to launder illegally obtained funds. Those who unknowingly participate in transferring the money could face legal consequences as accomplices to financial crimes.

Authorities warn that fraudsters often fabricate emotional stories—claiming the funds were meant for medical treatment, salary payments, or family support—to manipulate victims into cooperating. These tactics are designed to evoke sympathy and gain trust.

Instead of returning the money, residents should immediately report any suspicious transactions to their bank and contact Dubai Police through the e-Crime platform, by calling 901, or via the official police app or website. Vigilance and prompt reporting, police stress, are crucial in combating cybercrime and protecting the community from financial fraud.

This latest alert serves as a reminder to always verify unexpected financial transactions and never act on instructions from unknown callers. Dubai Police continue to work on raising awareness to prevent such scams from exploiting unsuspecting victims.

Source: Gulf News