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Dubai Police Warning Against Property Fraud

The Dubai police have warned overseas property investors against property fraud on social media platforms.

Dubai police authorities warned over fake advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook that claim to offer investment or renting opportunities in the UAE.

‘People must be cautious and double check the online ads about properties before renting or buying it. There are official channels to check about the property to avoid scammers. People should report any information they may have about such scammers,’ said Major General Al Mansouri during a Dubai Police forum about online properties security.

Meanwhile, Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department of Dubai Police, said that they recorded 104 fraud cases and arrested 136 suspects last year.

He said: ‘We have e-patrols all the time to track scammers and different online cases. Last year we had 12,630 e-patrols including 1,155 patrols to check the fraud accounts.’

Advertisements are run by scammers who use fake websites and fake social media accounts to con their victims. Fake IDs, tenancy contracts and false names are used as the fraudsters show homes and apartments to several prospective tenants or buyers, without the knowledge of the property owners, obtaining rent or deposits and commission fees before vanishing.

Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department of Dubai Police, said that the Anti-Economic Crime Department in Dubai Police recorded 499 cases last year which amounted to over Dh1 billion.

He said: ‘Dubai is a magnet for investors and businessmen due to the safe environment and opportunities. Many famous brands developed in Dubai because they know their trademark is protected. We arrested 471 suspects specialised in forgery and seized fake items worth Dh1 billion.

Dubai Police in cooperation with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) launched three campaigns last year to avoid e-fraud and encourage people to report incidents to police.

How to Avoid Falling for Property Scams

Avoid dealing with unlicensed brokers or someone who claims to be a representative of the owner or real estate company.

Avoid dealing with unlicensed brokers or someone who claims to be a representative of the owner or real estate company.

Do not make an advance payment to book the property.

Go to the website of the Department of Land and Property in Dubai (www.dubailand.gov.ae) to confirm the name of the developer or company and its associated projects

Confirm the real estate’s trade license.

Landlords and real estate companies should secure empty apartments and lock them.

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