Dubai - Operation Fox Hunt: They had run 81 fake businesses across 18 countries around the world.
Published: Sun 2 Feb 2020, 11:00 PM
Last updated: Tue 4 Feb 2020, 12:52 PM
The Dubai Police have arrested an African gang of nine cyber-scammers that had run 81 fake businesses across 18 countries around the world. They created a 'wealthy' image on social media - then duped people into transferring money in exchange of false job opportunities.
Dubbed 'Fox Hunt', the operation revealed the hidden online fraud network that managed to siphon off more than Dh32 million worth of money transfers.
The fraudsters were busted at their UAE residence, where the e-crime team of the Dubai Police found laptops and mobile phones full of sensitive information on individuals and companies - including bank accounts and credit cards details, as well as documents and files of the gangs' illegal activities.
Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police, said the arrest marks a new important achievement for the team.
"As gangs constantly change their criminal methods, the Dubai Police exert all efforts to qualify elites of officers and employees specialised in dealing with the latest technologies to tackle emerging crimes," Maj-Gen Al Marri said.
Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, said Operation Fox Hunt is "a unique and extremely professional" hit as it prevented the gang from abusing 800,000 e-mail addresses and foiled their bid to steal Dh4 billion.
The scam: Social media users were targeted
>Scammers disguised themselves with a 'facade of wealth' and used social media to celebrate illegitimate wealth under the names of others
>They reached out to social media users, promising they would help with job opportunities
>Victims received phishing e-mails that deceived them into transferring money to complete fake recruitment procedures
OPERATION FOX HUNT
>Some victims reported the incident to the Dubai Police's anti-cybercrime platform (www.ecrime.ae)
>Thorough investigations led to identifying the group
>Police teams closely monitored the gang and put the details of their IDs, bank accounts, residence, and cars in the spotlight
Raid foiled bid to steal Dh64m from 1,126 credit cards
As the Dubai Police closely monitored the group, they received a tip claiming that one of the suspects intended to leave the country. The CID team immediately drew a plan and set a zero hour to make the arrest.
Captain Abdullah Al Shehi, deputy director of e-investigations at the Dubai Police, said the arrest foiled the gang's bid to drain out the balance of 1,126 credit cards with an estimated total value of Dh64 million.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
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