Online scams are no longer easy to recognise, and artificial intelligence (AI) is the reason why.

The UAE Cybersecurity Council has issued a fresh warning saying AI-powered fraud is making online scams more convincing, faster to create, and far more difficult to detect. The alert comes as part of the council’s ongoing Cyber Pulse awareness campaign.

According to the council, criminals are now using advanced AI tools to do in seconds what once took days. This includes cloning voices, tweaking logos to look official, and crafting polished messages designed to spark urgency, fear, or panic.

Even more concerning? AI-driven phishing attacks are now linked to over 90 per cent of digital security breaches, with many scam messages carefully designed to remove the usual red flags like spelling mistakes or poor formatting.

Authorities are urging residents to be extra cautious when receiving messages that ask for personal or financial information, especially those containing links or claiming to be urgent security alerts. When in doubt, the advice is simple: stop, verify, and check through official channels before taking action.

The council also warned that highly realistic AI-generated images and advertisements circulating on social media are increasingly being used to mislead users into scams.

To stay safe, the Cybersecurity Council recommends:

• Avoiding unverified links
• Enabling multi-factor authentication
• Using trusted security software
• Double-checking messages for inconsistencies

Now in its second year, the Cyber Pulse campaign continues across social media as part of the UAE’s wider efforts to promote safe online behaviour and strengthen trust in the country’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

Dubai Police are sounding the alarm over a rise in fraudulent social media ads claiming to offer recruitment and placement services for domestic workers and support staff.

According to the Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, these ads are being run by scammers whose sole aim is to trick residents into transferring money illegally,  often with promises of quick placements or discounted fees.

Authorities are urging anyone looking to hire domestic help to only deal with licensed and accredited recruitment offices inside the UAE. Transferring money to individuals or companies operating outside official channels puts both employers and workers at serious risk.

Dubai Police stress that following approved recruitment procedures is the only way to protect everyone involved, including employers, domestic workers, and legitimate agencies.

The warning forms part of Dubai Police’s ongoing BewareofFraud campaign, which aims to keep residents informed about evolving scam tactics across digital platforms.

If you spot a suspicious ad or believe you’ve encountered fraud, you can report it through the Dubai Police Smart App, the eCrime platform, or by calling the non-emergency hotline 901.

What UAE law says about employing domestic workers

Under Federal Decree Law No. 21 of 2023, which amends Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022, the law clearly sets out the rights and obligations of both employers and domestic workers. The regulations are aligned with UAE legislation and international conventions ratified by the country.

Here’s what the law strictly prohibits:

• Employing anyone under the age of 18
• Any form of discrimination based on race, colour, gender, religion, nationality, or disability
• Sexual harassment, whether verbal or physical
• Forced labour or practices that amount to human trafficking
• Physical abuse or harm of any kind
• Assigning duties that are not included in the employment contract
• Employing domestic workers in roles outside the scope of the law without approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)

If you’re hunting for concert, sports or travel tickets online, Dubai Police are urging you to slow down and double-check before you click “pay”.

Authorities have warned that scammers are ramping up fake ticket sales, especially for popular events that sell out quickly. These fraudsters often set up slick-looking websites or social media pages that copy the names and branding of well-known organisers, making the offers seem legit at first glance.

The trap is familiar: tempting prices, “limited availability” claims, and pressure to transfer money quickly or share bank card details. Victims only realise something’s wrong when no ticket arrives, or worse, when unexpected charges show up on their accounts.

Dubai Police are advising residents to buy tickets only through official organisers or authorised ticketing platforms, and to be wary of deals that look too good to be true. They also recommend checking website links carefully and avoiding payments through unofficial channels.

Anyone who spots suspicious ticket offers or believes they’ve been targeted by a scam is encouraged to report it via the Dubai Police smart app, by calling 901, or through the eCrime platform. Staying alert, police say, is the best way to make sure your next big night out doesn’t turn into an expensive lesson.