Dubai Residency warns of fraudulent visa scams on social media

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (Dubai Residency) has issued a warning to residents and expatriates regarding fraudulent advertisements on social media platforms. These scams promote fake work visas and residency permits in exchange for money, targeting individuals seeking employment opportunities.

In a recent operation conducted with Dubai Police, authorities apprehended an individual known in the artistic community of his home country for promoting fraudulent freelance visas. The individual reportedly used YouTube and TikTok over a two-year period to target job seekers, involving the issuance of approximately 40 fake visas.

Officials noted that criminal networks often operate from outside the UAE, targeting vulnerable individuals in their home countries before they even arrive. Dubai Residency emphasized that they are working with security, legal, and labor authorities to monitor and track these illegal activities. Penalties for those involved in such scams include fines and deportation.