The Central Bank of the UAE has instructed financial institutions across the country to strengthen fraud prevention systems and tighten customer authentication procedures as digital banking scams continue evolving globally.

The move comes as the UAE expands its efforts to protect consumers and strengthen confidence in the country’s financial system amid growing use of online banking and digital payment services.

According to the Central Bank, banks and financial institutions are now required to improve how they verify transactions and avoid depending on a single authentication method, such as SMS alerts or one-time passwords (OTPs), which fraudsters increasingly target through sophisticated cyber scams.

Real-time fraud monitoring

The regulator also confirmed it has started building a new Anti-Fraud Operations Centre known as CAFOC, which will act as a central platform for monitoring suspicious activity in real time and coordinating rapid responses across the banking sector.

The new centre is expected to combine advanced tracking systems, analytical tools and data-driven fraud detection capabilities designed to identify emerging threats faster and improve coordination between banks and government authorities.

The Central Bank added that the anti-fraud framework will also help collect and analyse fraud trends and behavioural patterns, allowing regulators to develop more targeted supervisory policies and interventions.

The latest measures arrive as financial fraud risks continue rising worldwide alongside rapid digital transformation and increased reliance on mobile banking, online transactions and electronic payment systems.

Authorities said ongoing engagement with banks and licensed financial institutions has helped strengthen implementation of the updated requirements and improve the sector’s readiness to deal with increasingly complex fraud threats.

Cybersecurity and financial fraud prevention have become major priorities for regulators globally, with many countries introducing stricter digital authentication standards as online scams become more advanced.

As Eid Al Adha approaches, Dubai Police has issued a fresh warning to residents about a growing wave of online scams involving fake sacrificial animal sales.

Authorities say fraudsters are exploiting the festive season by posting deceptive advertisements on social media platforms and unverified websites, offering sacrificial animals at unusually low prices to lure unsuspecting buyers.

How the scam works

According to Dubai Police, scammers typically:

• Post fake advertisements using stolen or fabricated images
• Offer special deals and unrealistically low prices
• Ask buyers to make advance payments to reserve or deliver the animal

Once the money is transferred, the fraudsters disappear, leaving victims without the animal or any way to recover their funds.

Police urge residents to stay alert

Officials warned residents not to be misled by:

• Prices that seem too good to be true
• Exaggerated promotional offers
• Unknown social media sellers

Instead, the public is being advised to:

• Deal only with accredited and trusted sellers
• Use official platforms and verified suppliers
• Avoid transferring money to unverified accounts

How to report fraud

Dubai Police also urged residents to immediately report suspicious accounts or scam attempts through:

• The official eCrime platform
• The non-emergency hotline 901

Authorities stressed that community awareness and cooperation remain key to preventing cyber fraud during the Eid season.

With online scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, Dubai Police are reminding residents of one simple rule this Eid: If an offer looks unrealistically cheap, think twice before paying.

Dubai Police has warned residents to stay alert against fake Hajj and Umrah campaigns circulating online ahead of the pilgrimage season.

The force’s Anti-Fraud Centre issued the warning as part of its ongoing ‘Be Aware of Fraud’ campaign, following a rise in fraudulent social media advertisements and fake travel offers targeting worshippers planning to perform Hajj or Umrah.

Fake offers and ‘guaranteed’ visas

According to Dubai Police, scammers are promoting fake pilgrimage packages through websites and social media platforms using:

• Deeply discounted prices
• Fake ‘guaranteed’ Hajj bookings
• False promises of urgent visas and permits
• Professional-looking websites and copied company logos

Victims are often asked to transfer advance payments to secure bookings, only for the fraudsters to disappear without providing any legitimate service.

Authorities said these types of scams typically increase in the weeks leading up to Hajj and Umrah, as residents search online for affordable travel deals and last-minute packages.

Fraudsters reportedly create fake accounts impersonating legitimate travel agencies and licensed operators to make their offers appear genuine.

Dubai Police urge residents to verify operators

Dubai Police stressed the importance of booking only through officially licensed and approved Hajj and Umrah operators authorised by the relevant authorities.

Residents are also warned against sharing personal or banking information with unknown entities online, regardless of how attractive the offers may seem.

Safety tips for residents

• Verify the travel agency’s licence and registration
• Avoid deals that seem unusually cheap
• Do not transfer money to personal bank accounts
• Double-check websites and social media pages
• Use official channels for Hajj and Umrah bookings