The Consulate General of India in Dubai has issued an urgent warning to Indian citizens living in the UAE, cautioning them against a rising wave of scams involving identity theft. Fraudsters are reportedly posing as immigration agents to prey on vulnerable individuals, particularly blue-collar workers, by promising assistance with visa regularisation, job placements, and official permits. These criminals trick victims into handing over their passports, Emirates IDs, and sensitive biometric data, such as face, eye, and fingerprint scans, which are then weaponized to open fraudulent bank accounts, secure unauthorized loans, or conduct illegal financial activities in the victims' names.

The consequences for those who fall for these schemes are severe, potentially leading to massive debt, legal travel bans, and even imprisonment for financial crimes they did not commit. To combat this, the consulate has clarified that neither the Embassy in Abu Dhabi nor the Consulate in Dubai ever requires biometric scans for passport services or emergency certificates. Officials are urging all residents to strictly use official government channels for document processing and to report any suspicious individuals demanding biometric data to the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra immediately.