At the conclusion of the third edition of the Global Media Congress, the UAE Government’s Cybersecurity Council, in collaboration with TRENDS Research & Advisory, the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), and BioCatch, revealed significant findings on the state of scams in the UAE in 2024. The study surveyed over 1,964 UAE citizens, shedding light on public awareness and the prevalence of scams in the country.
The findings showed that 65% of participants were confident in their ability to identify fraud, but 9% expressed uncertainty about recognizing scams. The survey found that 56% of UAE residents face a scam attempt at least once a month, with only 12% reporting being rarely confronted by scams. Additionally, 43% of respondents encountered more scams in 2024 than in 2023, while 37% saw fewer attempts, and 20% reported similar experiences.
One key insight was the high awareness of scams using artificial intelligence. Half of the respondents believed they had encountered an AI-based scam in the last year, with 30% uncertain, and 20% confident they were targeted by AI-driven scams. The study highlighted that AI-generated text and images were widely recognized, but complex AI chats and videos were less familiar.
The survey also revealed that instant messaging platforms, especially WhatsApp, were the primary channels used by scammers, followed by phone calls, SMS, and email. Scams involving shopping fraud and identity theft were most common, followed by investment scams. On average, each scam victim faced 1.77 attempts, suggesting that scammers often retarget victims.
Despite the widespread nature of scams, only 30% of those affected reported incidents to law enforcement. The survey showed that scams are often completed within 24 hours, with 49% of victims losing money in less than a day. Notably, 27% of respondents reported financial losses averaging US$2,194, with credit cards and bank transfers being the most commonly exploited payment methods.
The emotional toll of scams was also significant, with 59% of victims experiencing strong emotional distress. Consequently, 62% of respondents expressed reduced trust in the internet. The study highlighted that 23% of respondents fell victim to scams due to enticing offers, while 30% failed to recognize the scam in time.
In response, 32% of individuals took precautions such as verifying email addresses and website legitimacy, and 30% shared their scam experiences with family and friends. However, 18% of respondents were unaware of where to report a scam, citing reasons such as complexity, uncertainty, and doubts about the effectiveness of reporting.
This study underscores the increasing sophistication of scams and the need for greater awareness, education, and reporting mechanisms to protect individuals from financial and emotional harm.
