In the United Arab Emirates, reports of financial fraud are growing fast. Many residents are now demanding stronger credit card security. Victims say they followed all safety rules but still lost large sums.
Daniel, a teacher from Abu Dhabi, was traveling when his card got charged many times. His bank only blocked the card after he asked. He had just welcomed a new baby and had no money left.
In another case, cybersecurity expert Mohammad Asif Batkali lost over Dh18,000. He clicked on a fake Facebook ad that looked official. It led to a fake website that used a fake payment page. Even after he reported the issue, the transaction went through.
Murali, a resident, saw charges worth Dh41,320 go through without any OTP. His bank claimed the transactions happened through Apple Pay. However, he never activated that feature.
Jayesh Vanza, a tech professional, lost Dh18,000 while his phone was unattended. Instead of help, the bank offered a 12-month installment plan. He refused. The case then moved to cybercrime.
One surgeon had 14 transactions worth Dh120,000 while she was in surgery. She never left the room or gave her card to anyone. Her bank noticed one charge but did nothing to stop the others.
Ayesha Naseem had her card used in Qatar, though she never left the UAE. The original charge was Dh15,597. With fees, it rose to Dh23,000. She received a legal notice.
Some fraud victims even had fake credit cards made in their names. In one case, Dh90,000 was spent using three forged cards. No OTPs were sent, and the banks still held them liable.
Cybersecurity experts say banks need to upgrade their fraud detection systems. Many victims never clicked any strange links or shared data. Yet, they still suffered major losses.
The public now wants stronger credit card security and clearer rules to protect customers. Legal experts agree. If customers did not approve the charges, banks must help. New technology can track fraud faster and stop these cases early.
However, many victims say they faced silence from banks after reporting fraud. Some even received legal threats.
Experts warn that cyber threats in the UAE are rising. They call for urgent steps from financial institutions. Banks must combine smarter technology with better customer support. Without action, victims will keep asking for stronger credit card security.
