Dubai Police dismantle driving licence fraud scheme

Dubai Police have dismantled a sophisticated fraud scheme involving the illegal acquisition and conversion of driving licences. Eight suspects were arrested for allegedly operating a service that allowed individuals to obtain foreign driving licences without traveling to the issuing country, taking driving lessons, or passing mandatory practical tests.

The perpetrators reportedly charged Dh10,000 per licence. They exploited international exchange agreements that permit holders of certain foreign licences to convert them into UAE driving licences without additional training or testing. By using offices belonging to transaction processing companies in the UAE, the group targeted customers by promising a way to bypass stringent local qualification processes.

The investigation was conducted by Dubai Police’s Economic Crimes Department in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Authorities emphasized that the scheme posed a significant threat to road safety by placing unqualified or inexperienced drivers on the roads, undermining the regulatory integrity of the emirate’s traffic systems.