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

The UAE will introduce a major update to its civil legal system from June 1, with a new law officially lowering the age of majority from 21 to 18.

The changes come under Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, which introduces updates across areas including legal capacity, contracts, guardianship and civil transactions.

Published in the Official Gazette in October 2025, the law is designed to strengthen individual legal rights while maintaining safeguards against exploitation and abuse.

What changes from June 1?

Under the new law, individuals in the UAE will gain full legal capacity at 18 years old instead of 21.

This means 18-year-olds will legally be able to:

• Manage financial and legal affairs independently
• Sign contracts and civil agreements
• Open and operate bank accounts
• Conduct commercial activities

New rules for minors managing assets

Another significant update could allow minors as young as 15 to manage inherited or personal assets with court approval.

However, this would still require strict judicial supervision and specific safeguards before approval is granted.

If implemented, the change would give younger individuals limited financial autonomy while keeping court oversight in place.

The update reflects broader legal and social shifts already taking place across the UAE. The country recently lowered the minimum driving age to 17, while commercial laws already allow individuals to engage in business activities from the age of 18.

Many banks in the UAE already allow 18-year-olds to independently open and manage accounts, while existing commercial laws permit them to engage in business activities.

The new legislation reflects how young adults today are taking on greater responsibilities earlier, whether through higher education, employment, entrepreneurship or managing their own financial affairs.

Students across the UAE are celebrating as India’s Central Board of Secondary Education officially announced the 2026 Class 12 board exam results on Tuesday.

Homes and schools across the Emirates were filled with excitement and relief as students rushed online to check their scores shortly after the results were released.

Relief after months of uncertainty

The results come after an unusually challenging academic period for CBSE students in the Middle East.

In March, CBSE announced the cancellation of Class 12 board exams across Gulf countries, including the UAE, following regional tensions linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, which has since entered an extended ceasefire period.

Schools across the UAE had temporarily shifted to distance learning during that time, forcing major adjustments to academic schedules and assessment plans for graduating students.

Digital scorecards released first

Students are currently receiving provisional digital marksheets, while original certificates and official documents will be distributed later through schools.

CBSE confirmed that digital scorecards available through DigiLocker can, in the meantime, be used for university admissions and official applications.

Students celebrate across the UAE

While many schools are still waiting to receive consolidated results, social media has already been flooded with reactions from students celebrating strong scores and sharing their results online.

The announcement marks a major milestone for thousands of Indian curriculum students across the UAE preparing for higher education admissions in India and abroad.