This information was shared at a media briefing led by Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Sharjah Police's Commander-in-Chief. Brigadier Omar Ahmed Abu Al Zawd, the head of the Criminal Investigations Department, was also present, along with department leaders, specialised officers, and members of the local Arab, foreign, and Asian media.
"During the conference, Major General Al Shamsi emphasized that the media is a key partner in achieving Sharjah Police's awareness agenda and in informing the public about fraudulent crimes committed by electronic trolls to trap their victims and illegally steal their money. He highlighted that the media plays an effective role in shaping community awareness and making a positive impact in confronting these crimes, which have become a societal problem."
Al Shamsi commended the Criminal Investigations Department for its relentless efforts in combating various forms of crime, particularly electronic and technical crimes. He acknowledged the dedication of the department's experts and specialists in ensuring digital security for the society. Al Shamsi also urged the public to exercise caution when interacting with unfamiliar individuals to avoid falling victim to electronic phishing.
Case "173"
Brigadier General Omar Ahmed Abu Al Zawd, the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department, disclosed that an Arab employee of a licensed company in the country reported receiving an email from a supplier asking to update bank details. Upon updating the information, he realized that he had fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme. It was revealed that the email was a scam, and a total of AED85,713.52 was transferred to the fraudulent bank account provided by the fake company.
He indicated that a group of specialists in cybercrime had been assembled to authenticate the scam and apprehend the culprits before distributing the collected funds. Upon conducting a technical examination, it was discovered that the email was a counterfeit message designed by the perpetrators to alter a single letter and mislead the recipient into believing in the genuineness of the electronic communication. Upon further technical investigation, it was established that the operation was conducted externally and coordinated within the country. By monitoring the movement of funds and gathering information, an individual of African descent who withdrew 20,000 dirhams was identified. A well-planned ambush was set up following the implementation of all legal actions, resulting in his apprehension at his residence along with others cohabiting with him, as subsequent research findings demonstrated their involvement as partners in an electronic fraud network.
Confiscation
The bank information of victims was used to conduct fraudulent operations, leading to the confiscation of 173 bank cards and 132 chequebooks. Additionally, 21 smartphones, 18 Emirati ID cards belonging to individuals who had departed the country, and 6 seals of fictitious companies claiming to be legally established were discovered. Furthermore, 95,320 dirhams in cash obtained from electronic fraud withdrawals were seized.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the culprits planned to buy 173 accounts from their original owners after leaving the country. These accounts, which are linked to bank cards, are being managed by an electronic criminal network. The network transfers seized funds from one account to another in order to deceive any law enforcement agency that may be tracking them.
He emphasized that Sharjah Police's technical specialists closely monitored all banking activities in collaboration with the relevant authorities of the country and identified the criminal techniques used.
We investigated cases of fraud and theft where people's personal information and payment cards were misused. In total, we recovered about 3.011 million dirhams and identified 11 perpetrators with evidence from anonymous reports.
"New Type Crimes"
To raise awareness about new cybercrimes affecting community security, Lieutenant Ahmed Balhai and Lieutenant Nouf Abdel Rahim Al Harmoudi discussed four widely reported cybercrimes: "false job postings," "fraudulent websites," "digital impersonation of organizations and entities," and "cyber intrusions."
They emphasized the importance of being aware of these crimes, which are now prevalent in electronic fraud operations. These crimes are often linked to people's needs, and some individuals may overlook checking the content or links to websites that appear to be official but are actually replicas with subtle changes that go unnoticed by the user. Consequently, the victim unknowingly enters all their banking information on these fraudulent sites, only to later discover significant withdrawals from their bank account.
It's important to be cautious when using websites and social media. Avoid sharing personal information like your bank account numbers, national ID number, or OTP verification codes with anyone. Verify email addresses, be wary of suspicious links in emails or text messages, and avoid using direct debit cards or direct bank transfers. Make sure to keep your computer's operating system and software updated to stay safe from online threats.
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