UAE: Abu Dhabi Police return AED 140 million to cyber-fraud victims from more than 15,000 cases over 2 years | World News
On October 22, 2025, Abu Dhabi Police announced the recovery of AED 140 million from online fraudsters, returning the funds to victims and launching the sixth edition of their “Be Cautious / خلك حذر” awareness campaign to prevent future cyber scams.
Abu Dhabi police recover stolen funds
Abu Dhabi Police have successfully recovered around AED 140 million taken by online fraudsters over the past two years, returning the money to victims. During this period, authorities handled 15,642 electronic-fraud cases, highlighting both the scale of cybercrime in the UAE and the effectiveness of police-bank cooperation.To further protect the public, police launched the sixth edition of their “Be Cautious / خلك حذر” awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on spotting and avoiding online scams.
Cyber-fraud cases and fund recovery
Police officials confirmed that their cyber-crime and economic-crime units investigated 15,642 cases of online fraud in the last two years. Through coordinated efforts with banks and government agencies, about AED 140 million has been successfully returned to victims.Authorities emphasized that quick reporting and bank cooperation were key factors enabling such large-scale recoveries.
Anticipated refund dates
Authorities said recovered funds are being processed and returned in batches, with most victims expected to receive refunds within 2–4 weeks from the date of reporting. Police stressed that delayed reporting may slow down fund return.
“Be Cautious / خلك حذر” Campaign — What you need to know?
The campaign highlights the most common and emerging fraud methods, including:
- Phishing links and fake websites
- Misleading phone calls claiming prizes, jobs, or investments
- Fraudulent e-commerce and auction platforms
- Fake real-estate and investment schemes
- Remote-access software scams
The initiative combines public awareness messages with partnerships between banks and government bodies, helping prevent losses and accelerating fund recovery.
How the public can protect themselves
Police urge residents to:
- Report fraud immediately via the 24/7 “Aman” service: Call 8002626, SMS 2828, or email [email protected]
- Avoid sharing personal or banking details with unknown callers
- Never click on suspicious links or provide OTPs to unverified sources
- Treat unsolicited prize, job, or investment offers with caution
Quick reporting increases the likelihood of recovering stolen funds.Cyber fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, including AI-driven impersonation and micro-scams. By combining public awareness, fast reporting, and bank cooperation, authorities aim to minimize financial losses and reassure the public that quick action works.
