UAE authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution following a surge in sophisticated phishing attacks where scammers impersonate officials from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). These fraudsters are sending Google Meet invitations from personal email addresses—such as generic Gmail accounts—while falsely claiming that the recipient has outstanding fines linked to their Emirates ID or residency status. During these video calls, the perpetrators use high-pressure tactics, threatening victims with legal consequences or administrative blocks unless they immediately disclose sensitive personal information and transfer funds to private bank accounts.

To protect yourself, it is essential to remember that official government entities in the UAE never request payments or sensitive ID details through video conferencing platforms or personal email addresses. Legitimate government fees are only processed through secure, authorized portals, and any communication claiming otherwise should be treated as fraudulent. If you receive a suspicious meeting request or an unsolicited demand for payment, do not engage; instead, verify the status of your records directly through official websites or mobile apps. Always report any suspected cybercrime to the police through their dedicated reporting platforms to help prevent others from falling victim to these evolving online scams.