How to report a scam text in the UAE
If the message involves money, call your bank first.
If it is a scam text, fake bank alert, delivery fee message, UAE Pass request, Emirates ID scam, or suspicious government email, save the evidence and report through the right UAE channel.
Do not report by calling the number inside the suspicious message.
What to save before deleting
Save:
- Screenshot of the message.
- Sender number or name.
- Link or domain.
- Time and date.
- Payment receipt if you paid.
- Bank transaction reference.
- Any email headers if it came by email.
Where to start
Reporting can depend on the emirate and the type of scam.
| Situation | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Money left your bank account | Your bank immediately |
| Dubai cybercrime or online fraud | Dubai Police eCrime or Dubai Police app/website |
| Abu Dhabi cybercrime or online fraud | Abu Dhabi Police Aman |
| General UAE cybercrime information | UAE government cybercrime reporting portal |
| Delivery, visa, Emirates ID, or fine email | Official service portal plus police reporting if fraudulent |
If it was a bank OTP or app approval scam
Call the bank immediately. Say:
"I shared an OTP or approved something after a suspicious message."
Ask the bank to review transfers, cards, devices, and login activity.
Then report the message.
If it was UAE Pass or Emirates ID
Treat it as serious. UAE Pass and Emirates ID can be used in real services, which is exactly why scammers copy that language.
Open the official app yourself. Do not use the message link.
FAQ
Should I report first or call the bank first?
If money moved, call the bank first. Reporting matters, but the bank is the faster path for freezing cards, reviewing transfers, and securing the account.
Should I delete the scam message?
Save a screenshot, sender, link, date, time, and payment reference first. Then you can delete or block it.
Can I report a suspicious message even if I did not lose money?
Yes. Save the evidence and use the reporting path that matches your emirate or the service being impersonated.
Read next
- /ae/blog/fake-bank-sms-uae-otp/
- /ae/blog/emirates-post-delivery-fee-scam/
- /ae/blog/uae-pass-emirates-id-scam/
Sources
- UAE government portal, report cybercrimes online: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/justice-safety-and-the-law/cyber-safety-and-digital-security/report-cybercrimes-online
- Dubai Police eCrime service path: https://www.dubaipolice.gov.ae/wps/portal/home/services/individualservicescontent/cybercrime
- Reporting on Abu Dhabi Police cyber-fraud recovery and Be Cautious campaign: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/uae-abu-dhabi-police-return-aed-140-million-to-cyber-fraud-victims-from-more-than-15000-cases-over-2-years/articleshow/124759777.cms