UAE ticket scam warning explains how victims can identify fraud, report fake sellers, contact banks, involve authorities, and take steps to recover lost money and protect themselves from future scams.
UAE Ticket Scam Alert: How Victims Can Recover Their Funds
British expat Marie (name changed for privacy) thought she was purchasing tickets for a major concert from an official website. Unknowingly, she had landed on a fake platform. After entering her card details and approving the OTP, Dh8,000 was deducted from her credit card within moments.
“I was completely shocked at first,” she recalled. “I genuinely believed I was on the venue’s official site.” It was only later that she noticed a slight spelling error in the website’s name, which made her realise she had fallen victim to a scam.
Marie immediately contacted her bank to block her card. “What surprised me was how quickly I found the ‘report a scam’ option on the call menu,” she said. “It shows how common these cases are.”
From fraudulent ticketing websites and social media scams to fake investments and rental fraud, residents across the UAE continue to face a wide range of online threats. Authorities and police regularly issue public warnings to raise awareness. Earlier today, Dubai Police again cautioned residents against purchasing tickets for events, sports, travel, or entertainment through unofficial or unverified sources.
Steps to take
Experts advise that scam victims should act quickly to reduce potential damage. Under UAE law, individuals who fall victim to fraud are required to report the matter immediately to the relevant authorities and keep a record of all related evidence and documents, explained Salman Madkour, Senior Associate at BSA LAW. He also stressed the importance of contacting banks or financial institutions right away to halt any suspicious activity, noting that prompt action plays a key role in limiting financial losses and protecting legal rights.
Cybersecurity specialists add that these precautions are equally important in situations such as losing a mobile phone. Bertil Brendeke, Consultant Sales Leader at Comet Backup LTD, emphasized the need for greater awareness of digital threats and encouraged users to apply appropriate security measures, especially when installing sensitive apps on their devices.
He further recommended using security tools such as two-factor or multi-factor authentication, facial recognition, and time-delay protections for critical settings. In cases where a phone is stolen, individuals should immediately notify their bank, cancel or freeze all cards, and inform their employer so that IT administrators can disable access to work-related email accounts.
Recovery is possible
While prevention is key, recovery is still possible in some cases. Madkour pointed out that in accordance with Central Bank instructions, the bank is obligated to examine the complaint and take the necessary measures, with the importance of retaining all correspondence and documents.
“UAE law guarantees fraud victims the right to file a criminal complaint, seek the recovery of funds whenever possible, and claim compensation for material and moral damages,” he said. “They also have the right to pursue perpetrators through the courts and to benefit from the protections provided by financial and electronic legislation.”
For Marie, the next few months were spent in following up on the case. “I was persistent on all channels: police smart app as well as the bank,” she recalled. “I would get in touch with the call centre and go to the branch in person. Also, it was a blessing that I used my credit card and not my debit card.”
She was eventually able to recover the money she lost after three months. “When the bank called me to inform, I actually started to cry,” she said. “I didn’t expect it, but my persistence paid off. I advise everyone to read the full OTP message carefully and check the amount mentioned instead of copying and pasting blindly. It’s also important to check website links closely for even minor spelling errors.”
