Dubai Police on Saturday alerted residents about an uptick in holiday home scam after a man lost AED 8,000 to fraudsters while attempting to rent a chalet.
The man said he paid the amount as "deposit and insurance fee" on the promise that it would be refunded to an online advertiser for a chalet in Dubai. Once the money was transferred, the scammer was unreachable as he switched off his mobile phone.
The victim then alerted the authorities about the scam.
Officials said scammers exploit the holiday season and target families scouting for "attractive" discounts and by manipulating photographs of chalets or holiday homes from genuine adverts.
Once the victim shows interest, the scammer convinces them to transfer funds quickly, claiming "high demand", even before they view the property or sign any official contract. It's only after the money has been transferred that the victim realises he has been tricked.
The authority reminded the public to be extra vigilant while booking holiday deals promoted on social media or online, and to be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals. They urged people to physically check the facility and verify the owner's details before making the payment.
Dubai Police issues regular warnings under the ‘Be Aware of Fraud’ campaign, reminding the public to report fraud or suspicious websites through official channels, including the e-Crime platform or by calling 901.
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