Dubai authorities have issued a critical security alert regarding sophisticated fraud schemes utilizing artificial intelligence to create convincing forged documents. The Anti-Fraud Centre at Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation revealed that scammers are increasingly employing advanced AI tools to fabricate both official and unofficial documents that appear professionally authentic.
These fraudulent documents are primarily distributed through email communications and social media platforms, often forming part of elaborate financial fraud operations or attempts to circumvent legal requirements. The police emphasized that these AI-generated forgeries have reached such sophistication that they can easily deceive unsuspecting individuals and organizations.
However, security experts note several telltale signs of forged documentation, including inconsistent information, deviations from approved official templates, and the presence of counterfeit signatures or stamps. The #BewareofFraud awareness campaign recommends thorough verification procedures, including examining digital file metadata and confirming reference numbers through authorized channels.
United Arab Emirates legislation imposes severe penalties for document forgery offenses. Under Federal Decree Law No. 31 of 2021, forging official documents carries temporary imprisonment sentences of up to 10 years, while unofficial document forgery also warrants prison terms. Specifically for electronic documents, Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 stipulates fines ranging from Dh150,000 to Dh750,000 and imprisonment up to one year for government document forgery.
Dubai Police urge immediate reporting of suspected fraud through their smart application, emergency line 901, or the dedicated eCrime platform for cyber offenses. Authorities stress that vigilance and verification remain the most effective defenses against these technologically advanced fraud attempts.