E-Paper
Sign In
Dubai Police bust scam offering up to 70% discounts on traffic fines
The gang's modus operandi involved luring individuals through misleading social media advertisements, meet them in person, and deceived victims by making false claims
- PUBLISHED: Wed 6 Aug 2025, 3:01 PM UPDATED: Wed 6 Aug 2025, 3:23 PM
A group of individuals involved in a scheme that offered fake discounts of up to 70 per cent on traffic fines through social media has been arrested by Dubai Police, through the Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation.
The suspects lured victims by claiming they could reduce fines through unofficial channels. Their tactics involved using stolen credit cards to pay off victims' fines in full. Once the payment reflected as cleared in the system, the scammers would demand half the fine amount in cash as their fee, presented to the victims as a 'discount'.
Recommended For You
Investigations revealed that the gang acquired the stolen credit card data through cybercrimes or illegal purchases from illicit sources. They typically engaged with potential victims through misleading social media advertisements, met them in person, and requested the full value of their fines. After using stolen cards to process payments, they collected a portion of the amount in cash.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
In a statement, Dubai Police stressed that this was a dual crime involving both the theft of banking data and financial fraud. Authorities also warned that individuals who knowingly engage in such schemes, assuming they are getting discounted fines, may be legally treated as accomplices.
The authorities advised community members to avoid any offers of traffic fine reductions made outside of official government platforms. Any external offers outside these official frameworks are considered illegal and punishable.
Dubai Police also called on community members to report similar suspicious activity immediately through the “Police Eye” service via Dubai Police’s app or by calling the 901 contact centre.
