Dubai Police warn residents against fake visa and job ads on social media

The scam ads promise UAE residency visas, work permits, or guaranteed job placements. Once the victim sends the money, the advertiser disappears and the visa or job never materialises.

Police said the ads typically appear on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The scammers often use fake accounts and stolen logos to make the posts look like legitimate recruitment agencies or government departments.

How the Scam Works

A typical ad offers a work visa or a job placement within days, sometimes claiming a special connection to a government department. The victim contacts the number or link in the ad and is asked to transfer a fee to a personal bank account or a mobile wallet.

The amounts demanded vary, but victims often lose several thousand dirhams. After the payment clears, the scammer blocks the victim and deletes the account.

Some ads go further and ask for copies of passports, Emirates IDs, and passport-sized photographs. This personal data can then be used for identity theft or sold to other fraud rings.

What Dubai Police Say

In a statement shared on social media, Dubai Police urged the public to verify any visa or job offer through official channels only.

According to police, residents with visa-related queries can turn to the immigration authorities, while employment offers fall under the relevant labour authorities. Police said both operate online portals where residents can confirm whether a company is licensed and whether a visa application is genuine.

Police also reminded residents that legitimate government services never ask for payment through personal accounts or messaging apps. Official fees are paid through recognised banking channels or government e-services, not through WhatsApp, Telegram, or direct bank transfers to individuals.

Red Flags to Watch For

• The advertiser asks for money before any paperwork, interview, or formal offer letter.
• The payment request goes to a personal bank account or a mobile wallet, not a named company account.
• The ad uses poor grammar, blurry logos, or creates a false sense of urgency with phrases like “only two slots left” or “offer ends tonight.”
• The contact number is a mobile number rather than a landline or an official hotline.
• The offer promises a visa or job without any qualifications, medical checks, or the standard government procedures that every genuine application requires.

What to Do If You Spot a Scam

Report the ad or the account directly on the social media platform where you saw it. Most platforms have a report button built into every post and profile.

You can also file a report with Dubai Police through the eCrime platform at www.ecrime.ae or by calling the non-emergency number 901. If you have already sent money, contact your bank immediately. In some cases, the bank can halt the transfer if you act quickly. After that, file a formal police report so the case is documented.

For context, UAE visa fees are standardised and published on official government portals. A standard two-year employment visa involves several thousand dirhams in government fees alone, plus medical examination charges and typing centre costs. Any advertisement offering a visa for a fraction of that amount, or bypassing any of those steps, is almost certainly fraudulent.

Similarly, genuine recruitment in the UAE does not require candidates to pay the employer or the agency for a job offer. Under UAE labour law, employers bear the cost of recruitment and visa processing. Any request for payment from a job seeker is a clear warning sign.

💬 Have you come across a suspicious visa or job ad online? Tell us what it looked like in the comments.