Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Bahrain’s Parliament is urging stronger action against cyber fraud, emphasizing continuous awareness, improved banking safeguards, and tighter telecom controls. Lawmakers warn that increasingly advanced scams are putting financial security and personal data at greater risk across all segments of society
Cyber fraud in Oman rose 35% in Q1 2025, fueled by fake websites, job scams, phishing, and cryptocurrency fraud. ROP urges public vigilance, reporting, and cybersecurity best practices while strengthening cooperation to combat rising threats targeting individuals—including children—and dismantling cross-border scam rings.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has warned citizens to avoid SMS and electronic messages that contain links to payment sites, as they may compromise banking card data and lead to financial theft. Payments should only be made through secure channels like commercial bank apps or the “eFawateercom” platform.
The UAE Cybersecurity Council has identified over 1,200 cases of digital begging in 2024, particularly during Ramadan. Fraudsters use fake accounts, emotional videos, and deepfake technology to deceive the public into donating. Authorities are enhancing cybersecurity measures and urging the public to verify donation requests and report suspicious activities.
Bank Nizwa has partnered with Network International to enhance fraud prevention and digital banking security. The collaboration integrates a comprehensive fraud management system to protect customer transactions and ensure operational resilience. This move supports Oman’s digital transformation goals and strengthens Bank Nizwa’s commitment to secure and innovative banking solutions.
Al Baraka Islamic Bank has successfully implemented SafeNet, an AI-driven fraud prevention solution, in collaboration with Global Payment Services (GPS). The solution enhances the security of digital payment channels, ensuring real-time transaction analysis and compliance with Central Bank of Bahrain regulations, while boosting customer trust in the bank’s services.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in Muscat has issued a warning about fraudulent SMS messages impersonating banks to steal money. TRA advises customers to avoid interacting with suspicious messages, report them immediately, and take steps like blocking suspicious senders on WhatsApp to protect against fraud.