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Sharjah Police arrest 7 in cyber fraud ring that stole money through fake apps
According to the authority, the suspects impersonated officials and lured victims into downloading malicious applications that allowed remote access to their phones
- PUBLISHED: Sun 5 Jul 2026, 1:00 PM UPDATED: Sun 5 Jul 2026, 1:24 PM
Sharjah Police on Sunday arrested seven Asians and foiled a cybercrime plot involving an electronic fraud network accused of impersonating officials.
According to authority, the suspects lured victims into downloading malicious applications that allowed remote access to their phones. They also exploited labour data to open bank accounts, which were then used to launder proceeds from cybercrimes.
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The arrest comes as the UAE intensifies efforts against cybercrime threats. The UAE Cybersecurity Council recently announced it had successfully thwarted sophisticated cyberattacks targeting financial sector entities. The council said the attempted attacks included phishing campaigns, exploitation of security vulnerabilities, malware deployment, and attempts to target critical digital infrastructure.
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All entities in the country are urged to comply with national cybersecurity regulations and policies, strengthen preventive security measures, regularly update their systems, and promptly report any suspicious cyber indicators or activities through the official reporting channels.
The UAE Cyber Security Council reassured the public that the country possesses robust cybersecurity capabilities that enable it to respond effectively to evolving threats. It emphasised that the national cybersecurity system continues to implement proactive measures, including continuous monitoring, cyber threat intelligence sharing, enhanced readiness, and strengthened early detection and rapid response capabilities.
Targeted market
The UAE’s fast-paced digital transformation is making it one of the region’s most targeted markets for cyberattacks, as organisations grapple with rising volumes of threats and increasingly complex data environments.
According to the UAE Cyber Security Council, the country faces more than 800,000 cyberattack attempts daily — a figure that continues to rise. From an industry perspective, the real number could be even higher. “If anything, the true volume is higher still… a figure that keeps climbing by the day,” said Yahya Kassab, Senior Director and GM for KSA and the Gulf at Commvault.
The scale of attacks reflects the UAE’s position as a digital frontrunner. Kassab said advanced economies tend to attract more threats, adding: “The countries that are most advanced in their digital transformation tend to attract the most attacks… and the UAE sits firmly in that category.”
As cyber risks intensify, the focus in the UAE is increasingly shifting towards preparedness and rapid recovery — a trend likely to define the country’s cybersecurity strategy as digital ambitions accelerate.
(With inputs from WAM)
