The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has issued a warning to the public and the financial services community over a recruitment scam falsely using the name of the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority (DIFCA).
According to the DFSA, scammers have been impersonating DIFCA employees on professional networking platforms, claiming to offer internships. Victims were contacted online, interviewed virtually, and later sent fake job offers and forged employment contracts.
In one reported case, the scammers went as far as providing a fake tenancy contract for accommodation in Dubai and requested payments of Dh6,365 for the apartment deposit and Dh903 for visa and administrative fees. The victim, believing the offer was legitimate, made the payments.
The fraudsters made their communication appear official by:
- Using a fake email address: difca.recruitment.difc@collector.org, masked to appear as difca.recruitment@difc.ae;
- Falsely displaying the DIFCA name and branding, including the unauthorised use of logos and stamps.
The DFSA has confirmed that these communications were fraudulent and not issued by the DIFCA. It stressed that DIFCA does not request payment for accommodation or visa fees as part of its recruitment process.
“These emails and job offers are fake. Do not respond to such messages or send any money,” the DFSA advised in its official alert.
The authority urged anyone who receives suspicious communications claiming to be from the DIFCA or the DIFC to verify the legitimacy via official DFSA channels.
Consumers are also encouraged to consult the DFSA’s:
- Alerts page for scam warnings
- Guidance on how to avoid being scammed
- Public Register to check if a firm or individual is authorised
If you suspect a scam or receive suspicious documents claiming to be from the DIFCA, DIFC, or any DFSA-regulated entity, you are advised to contact the DFSA immediately.
(Source: www.dfsa.ae)
