Dubai Police shut down 103 fake social media accounts in the second quarter of 2026. The accounts were running scams using fake visa offers, fake travel deals and fake insurance policies, Khaleej Times reported.

The takedown is part of a wider drop in fraud, cybercrime and economic crime cases the force reported for the first half of the year. Cases in all three categories fell compared with the same period in 2025. Dubai Police did not give the exact size of the drop in each category.

The force's General Department of Criminal Investigation shared the figures at a review meeting. Major General Hareb Mohammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Affairs, chaired the meeting. It covered crime trends, results and priorities for the quarter, Gulf News and Khaleej Times reported.

Dubai Police credited the drop to early investigations and smart use of intelligence. Better teamwork with partner groups also helped, the force said. Police are using more artificial intelligence to support investigations and study crime data. Public-awareness campaigns and online safety checks have also grown.

"Tackling emerging crimes, particularly fraud and cybercrime, requires cooperation between law enforcement agencies, the public and institutions across the public and private sectors," Al Shamsi said, according to Gulf News.

What Residents Should Do

Al Shamsi urged residents not to share personal or bank details with people they do not know. He also asked residents to report anything suspicious to police right away. Scams like the fake visa and travel offers Dubai Police named tend to move fast once a victim replies. An early report gives police the best shot at tracing the account before it goes dark.

Visa and travel scams work because they prey on real anxiety. New arrivals worried about paperwork, or families booking a cheap trip home, are easy targets for a slick fake ad. That is why Dubai Police is treating social media as a front line for fraud, not a side issue.

Social media scams are a growing problem well beyond Dubai. Khaleej Times cited figures showing social media-linked fraud caused $2.1 billion in reported US losses in 2025. About 30% of US fraud victims said the scam began on a social platform. Investment scams made up $1.1 billion of those US losses, and shopping scams made up more than 40% of reported cases.

The Q2 review is the latest in a series of crime updates Dubai Police has published through 2026. A first-quarter report in May, given at a similar meeting chaired by Al Shamsi, also found crime and disturbance reports falling year-on-year. "The positive results achieved by the General Department of Criminal Investigation highlight the efficiency of security plans," Al Shamsi said at the time, according to Khaleej Times. He credited the drop to steady field work and sharp analysis. Police have not said when the next update is due.

For residents, the takeaway is simple. A visa offer, a cheap travel deal or an insurance quote that lands out of nowhere on social media matches a known scam pattern this year. Dubai Police is actively working to shut down the accounts behind them.

💬 Have you ever spotted a scam offer on social media targeting Dubai residents? Tell us in the comments.

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