Due to fraudsters constantly improving their methods to obtain people's personal data and steal funds, the Abu Dhabi Customs authority issued a warning to the public on Wednesday regarding circulating fake messages, advising residents to follow certain recommendations for online protection.
Abu Dhabi Customs used its social media channels to publish an important notification concerning a fraudulent message titled: 'Official Customs Notification of Detention – Customs Tariff Classification Required (Harmonized System),' warning everyone who receives such a message online not to respond to it. Residents can call 800 555 for consultations or support from this authority.
The authority stated that individuals sending these messages are impersonating Abu Dhabi Customs and asking recipients to click on suspicious links or provide personal information, emphasizing that such messages are not official correspondence issued by Abu Dhabi Customs.
As part of its warning, Abu Dhabi Customs published a guide for the public on protecting their information online: do not click on anonymous or suspicious links; do not share personal or confidential data; verify the source of the message before taking any action or making payments; and ignore suspicious messages and do not engage with them.
UAE authorities regularly warn residents about fraudsters and their increasingly sophisticated manipulation tactics. In addition to these warnings, steps have been taken to protect residents. In Dubai, the police closed 103 fraudulent social media accounts during the second quarter of 2026 as part of efforts to protect residents from online fraud. These actions occurred against the backdrop of repeated warnings that fraudsters use social media platforms and messengers to advertise non-existent services and offers.
Previously, in August, Dubai Police sent a message to reassure residents, stating that artificial intelligence and criminal data analysis are increasingly being used to support investigations and identify emerging threats, allowing officers to move from reacting to offenses to predicting and preventing them. Nevertheless, the public is advised to remain vigilant.


