The digital world has become such a familiar part of everyday life that it can be easy to forget how quickly it changes—and how quickly criminals adapt to those changes. In Dubai, authorities have launched a new public awareness campaign with a strikingly ambitious goal: to reduce the number of cybercrime victims to zero. The initiative is designed to keep residents informed about the rapidly evolving tricks used by fraudsters, from phishing emails to AI-generated scams that look startlingly real. Brigadier Saeed Mohammed Al Hajeri, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigations at Dubai Police, explained that the campaign aims to familiarise the public with the different methods criminals use and to strengthen people’s ability to protect themselves. Speaking about the growing threat, Al Hajeri said, “Our goal is to reach zero victims of cyber gangs.” The challenge, he acknowledged, is immense. Criminals are increasingly exploiting advances in electronic and digital technologies, especially artificial intelligence, to carry out their schemes. Cybercrime, he noted, is not a local problem but a global one. That is why the campaign relies on close cooperation with strategic partners across government and the private sector. For ordinary residents, the message is simple: cyber risks are real, they are growing, and awareness is the first line of defence.
One of the most alarming trends highlighted by Dubai Police is the way criminals are using artificial intelligence to make their frauds more convincing and harder to detect. AI is now being employed in sophisticated phishing operations, data breaches, and deepfake schemes. Fraudsters can create fake advertisements and fraudulent web pages that look completely professional, making it difficult for even careful internet users to tell what is real. They are also using technology to move illegal money through a maze of digital wallets, deliberately making it harder for investigators to follow the trail. Among the biggest threats is the rise of fake employment offers promoted through social media. Using AI, criminals can design polished job advertisements that appeal directly to people looking for work. The scam often unfolds gradually: a victim is offered a remote position, asked to provide access to their bank account, or instructed to receive and transfer money as part of their supposed duties. What seems like a legitimate job quickly becomes a nightmare, because the money moving through the victim’s account is later linked to fraud, money laundering, or other crimes. Al Hajeri warned that innocent people can become entangled in criminal investigations even when they were completely deceived into participating. This is a particularly cruel aspect of modern cybercrime: the victim is not only financially harmed, but may also face suspicion and legal scrutiny. The authorities note that awareness of electronic crime has grown across UAE society, but they remain committed to strengthening public knowledge about how to protect personal data. For job seekers, the advice is to be cautious, verify offers through official channels, and never share bank details with someone they have only met online.
Dubai Police are not simply warning residents; they are also investing heavily in the tools needed to fight back. The force has expanded its digital forensics laboratory so that investigators can examine faces, voices, and video recordings, and identify signs of AI manipulation. This cutting-edge work allows the laboratory to prepare detailed reports on the misuse of artificial intelligence, including detecting deepfakes that might be used to spread misinformation, damage reputations, or commit fraud. Al Hajeri acknowledged that the rapid improvement in synthetic content is creating serious challenges for investigators. The quality of AI-generated images and audio is now so high, and voice-and-video synchronisation so precise, that it can be nearly impossible for the naked eye to spot the difference. To stay ahead, Dubai Police have established a specialised unit focused on emerging crimes linked to AI, particularly the evolving methods criminals use to breach systems and access sensitive data. This combination of advanced technology and specialised expertise is essential. In the past, solving a crime might have involved reviewing security camera footage or following paper trails. Today, investigators might need to determine whether a video of a public figure is genuine or manufactured by software, or trace stolen money through hundreds of digital wallets across different countries. The digital forensics laboratory is at the heart of this work, giving law enforcement the ability to examine evidence that would have seemed like science fiction only a few years ago. For the public, the takeaway is that authorities are taking the threat seriously and building the capability to protect them, but there is also a role for everyone to play in staying alert.
The fight against cybercrime is not just about catching offenders after they strike; it is also about speed. Amer Sharaf, Executive Director of the Cybersecurity Systems and Services Sector at the Dubai Electronic Security Centre, explained that artificial intelligence is now being used on both sides of the battle. Criminals use it to identify and exploit vulnerabilities faster than ever before, while cybersecurity teams deploy AI to monitor threats, anticipate attacks, and analyse enormous volumes of data. This has made the speed of response absolutely critical. Some cyber incidents now require action within minutes rather than days, Sharaf noted. A vulnerability that goes unpatched for even a short time can be exploited by criminals who are constantly scanning systems for weaknesses. This is why security updates and preventive measures must be implemented quickly, whether by large organisations or individuals using apps and devices at home. The Dubai Electronic Security Centre has developed an AI-powered tool called “Sarab” that can assess whether video content has been manipulated and help detect deepfakes. The programme was developed by UAE talent and made available as an open-source project, meaning that users and specialised organisations around the world can benefit from it. Sharaf emphasised that the wider awareness campaign carries a clear educational message: making the public more aware of cybercrime risks is not a secondary concern but an essential part of the cybersecurity system. Knowledge, he said, is increasingly important when dealing with misinformation, account takeovers, and the many attempts to obtain personal data. Cybercriminals often rely on confusion and panic; an informed public that knows what to look for is much harder to deceive.
The scale of the awareness drive is considerable. Brigadier Dr Abdulrahman Sharaf Al Maamari, Director of the Hemaya International Centre at Dubai Police, revealed that more than 11 million people benefited from awareness initiatives and programmes last year. Cybercrime and electronic fraud made up around 60 per cent of the awareness lectures given, and the plan is to increase that proportion to more than 80 per cent this year, based on continuous monitoring of cybercrime, blackmail, and fraud patterns. During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, these activities will be intensified even further. One particular area of concern is the vulnerability of children and young people. Al Maamari highlighted that children may spend more than seven hours a day using tablets and other electronic devices, a reality that many parents will recognise all too well. This prolonged exposure increases the need to educate both young people and their families about online threats. The awareness drive will therefore target families as well as individual users, with the aim of helping them recognise suspicious behaviour and avoid becoming victims. It is one thing to tell a child not to talk to strangers in the street; it is quite another to help them understand the dangers of clicking on unknown links or sharing personal information in an online game. Parents themselves may not always be fully aware of the latest scams, so the campaign treats digital safety as a family matter. By equipping parents, teachers, and children with the right knowledge, the authorities hope to create a wider shield against the manipulative tactics used by cybercriminals.
The Ministry of Interior is also playing a central role, and its officials stress that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Colonel Dr Engineer Ibrahim Humaid Al Miyahi, Director of the Digital Security Department at the Ministry of Interior, said the UAE has an advanced cybersecurity system, but protecting society requires coordinated efforts and greater public participation. He emphasised that every individual is a key partner in preventing and combating cybercrime. The Ministry is committed to deploying its personnel, expertise, and capabilities to achieve the highest levels of protection and security, but it cannot do the job alone. Al Miyahi also urged media organisations to actively contribute to cybersecurity awareness throughout the month, highlighting emerging forms of electronic crime and vulnerabilities that come with modern technologies. He warned specifically about the risks of home security cameras. Residents should choose reliable, high-quality devices, think carefully about where cameras are installed, follow security measures, and regularly update associated applications to reduce the risk of unauthorised access. He also made a plea to victims of hacking and blackmail: report the crime rather than remain silent. Failing to report gives offenders greater room to continue their activities and harm others. Deepfake technology has become so sophisticated that it can potentially be used to produce entire films and highly convincing voice recordings, which makes awareness and vigilance more important than ever. Ahead of the campaign, Colonel Dr Saud Al Khalidi, Assistant Director-General of Specialised Departments at Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigations, said preparations included workshops to develop an integrated strategic plan. This year’s campaign is distinguished by the participation of a large number of government and private-sector partners, allowing the awareness programme to reach wider sections of society. The campaign brings together the Ministry of Interior, Dubai Police, the Dubai Electronic Security Centre, and many other organisations in a coordinated effort to strengthen digital awareness and help people recognise and avoid emerging cyber threats. Fatima Buhajeer, Chairwoman of the Positive Spirit Council at Dubai Police, added that the council would organise events and activities at different locations across Dubai, targeting people from various nationalities and communities. The aim is to ensure that cybersecurity messages reach beyond specialists and technology users, making digital safety a shared responsibility across the whole community. In a world where technology is woven into every aspect of daily life, protecting oneself online is no longer optional—it is a necessity, and one that requires everyone to play their part.