Beware: Scammer calls as Central Bank official in UAE

Scammers are out with new tactics to gather sensitive information, as Abu Dhabi resident Rahul found out recently. The Indian expat has long been aware of phone frauds and has even encountered a few in the past - but the latest one rattled him, as it involved an SMS allegedly from a federal authority.
"I have been working in the UAE for more than four years. I have received fraudulent phone calls in the past but I knew from the first conversation that those were fake ones. But this one was very believable," Rahul said.
"The male caller spoke like an Arab official. He presented himself as an official from the Central Bank of the UAE. He sought details of my Emirates ID to update my bank details. When I refused, he warned that my bank accounts will be blocked and I will lose all the money."
To make things believable, the caller sent him an SMS with a one-time password from another number - and it was under the name 'ICA', the acronym used by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Rahul said.
"This made things really scary. By now, I had begun to believe him. But, luckily, I broke the flow of communication and told him I will get back to him after a while."
Rahul took a moment to calm down and recollected various advisories on scams.
The caller then rang again but, this time, his tone raised suspicions. "He was forcing me to give my Emirates ID details. I disconnected but he called again. This happened three to four times. At last, I stressed on checking with the Abu Dhabi Police. He still warned I will lose all my money," Rahul said.
The expat is now planning to reach out to the Central Bank with all the details of the caller, hoping that the scammer will be nabbed soon. 
Warning from Central Bank
The Central Bank has warned people of fraudulent activities using its name.
"We at the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) confirm that we never ask consumers about financial information. The CBUAE warns the public of malicious phone calls and WhatsApp messages claiming to be from the CBUAE, which are of a fraudulent nature," it said in a statement.
"Avoid responding to such calls, messages, and opening any hyperlink that may be attached, which may provide exposure to a malicious website. Inform authorities immediately. This fraudulent activity has been increasingly reported lately and scammers would use the name of the Central Bank to obtain private information about personal and bank account information."
The CBUAE urged people to secure all information related to bank accounts, credit or debit cards.
"The public should be aware that CBUAE never conducts phone calls (unless a consumer complaint has been filed through the right channels with a reference number) nor uses social media to contact individuals or businesses."
How the new scam goes
>A man calls and may speak like an Arab professional
>He presents himself as an official from the Central Bank of the UAE
>He asks for your Emirates ID details, claiming that you have to update your bank information
>He warns that your bank accounts will be blocked and you will lose all your money of you don't comply
>To make things believable, he then sends an SMS with a one-time password from another number under the name 'ICA' (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship)
Remember
>Central Bank will never ask you to confirm, update or disclose personal and banking information via a phone call, text, or WhatsApp messages 
>Central Bank never conducts phone calls (unless a consumer complaint has been filed through the right channels)
>It never uses social media to contact individuals or businesses
>Avoid responding to such calls and messages and do not open any hyperlink that may be attached (this may direct you to a malicious website)
>If you have encountered any these, inform the authorities immediately.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

• Abu Dhabi

Ashwani Kumar

Ashwani Kumar is a versatile journalist who explores every beat in Abu Dhabi with an insatiable curiosity. He loves uncovering stories that are informative and help readers form their own opinions.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com