8 Tourist Scams in UAE and How to Avoid Them

United Arab Emirates witnesses the wild side of Arabia while also giving the pleasure of luxury in every aspect. The country's captivating beaches and skyscrapers deliver world-class experiences to its tourists. Major cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, offer futuristic designs and architecture intertwined with rich history.

Enjoying a perfect trip to the Middle East comes with being precautious of petty crimes and scams that could potentially make a dent in your trip.

So, to avoid that, read our list of common scams in UAE and some easy tips on how to avoid them.

1. Tour Operator Scams

The Middle East is a sought-after place for tourism. Scammers in UAE are found to have been setting up fake websites that sell non-existent tour packages to travellers, especially Indians. 

There have been reports of scammers also trapping people by first seeking their personal information at malls by asking them to fill up coupons. The victims then get invited to collect free gifts at a hotel and are lured into availing cheap tour packages.

To avoid falling for this scam, you must stay vigilant before sharing any personal information in public places.

Common around: Major cities like Dubai, Sharjah, etc.

2. Immigration Scams

Immigration scams in the UAE are one of the most anxiety-driven scams. In these cases, scammers pose as staff from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA). They call immigrants and threaten them with deportation if they refuse to pay fines for legal cases. 

Besides, they make false threats that the police will arrive at the victims' place if they do not make the payment immediately. In some cases, the fraudster's caller ID also matched with the number on the official website.

The best way to approach a situation like this is to contact the police, verify the caller and not share any personal details. It should be noted that immigration and other government departments do not threaten people by taking legal action against them and asking for fees over the phone.

Common around: Across UAE.

3. Fake Message Scams

Scammers impersonating government authorities is a common tactic where you can end up losing a lot of money. You might receive fake emails or SMS demanding that a fine must be paid immediately via a payment link due to a traffic violation, visiting an illegal website, etc.

The email warns that failure to make an immediate payment may result in consequences such as financial penalties or even legal action.

It is imperative to spot emails and SMS such as this to avoid losing money to scammers. If you do need to make a fine payment, you can safely do so via Dubai Police's official website or their app.

To avoid this scam, look out for poor grammar, an unknown number or ID that does not display the name of the authority, a link for payment rather than redirecting you to the official site for safe payment, or even a message asking you to pay immediately. 

Common around: Dubai, UAE.

4. Taxi Scams

Getting from one place to another in UAE is easier in taxis and cabs. At the same time, it is also likely that you might get scammed for a higher price for a short distance. Taxi scams are very common around the world. In such cases, you will find unofficial taxis that either don't have a working meter or charge prices on-the-go.

An easy way to avoid falling for this scam is to use official taxis marked with the RTA logo. If you are unable to, you must settle on a price before getting in.

Common around: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah.

5. Phony Tour Guide Scams

In older parts of major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you can find some locals pretending to be tour guides. They approach tourists and offer to take them to unexplored places to visit in the city. Later, they demand that the tourists pay them a fee for their service. If you refuse, they might try to cause a scene.

A tip to avoid falling for this scam is to not engage when locals approach you and offer to show you around. Politely decline and walk away. You can always stick to licensed tour guides or official tourist information centres to explore the city.

Common around: Dubai, Abu Dhabi.

6. Fake Gold Scam

Gold is a hot commodity in the United Arab Emirates. The Gold Souk is a large market dedicated to selling this precious metal and is one of the main tourist attractions in cities like Dubai. Unfortunately, tourists looking to purchase gold at a good deal are a target for scams. One common scam is for a seller to switch out the real for fake gold when selling.

To avoid being scammed, only buy gold from reputable dealers in the souk and be sure to inspect the quality of the gold before making a purchase.

Common around: Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman.

7. Spiked Drinks Scam

When visiting bars or pubs in UAE, it is possible that you might have your drink spiked. Scammers do this discreetly to rob you. Female tourists are more prone to scams like spiked drinks. The UAE Public Prosecution has stated the penalties for spiking the food or drink of another person with a narcotic substance will be imprisonment for a duration not exceeding five years and a fine not less than Dh 20,000.

You must always be careful of your surroundings when in public places. Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended. Be cautious of drinks that taste unusual or have strange ingredients in them. If you think your drink may have been spiked, do not hesitate to ask for help from bar staff or security guards.

Common around: Dubai.

8. Pickpocketing

Pickpocketing is one of the most common scams across the world. Dubai, UAE also has its fair share of pick pocketers. When walking down city streets, you might notice a person approaching you with a food item or drink in their hand. In some cases, these people will accidentally spill the drink or food over you and offer to help clean. During this scene, they will rob you. 

So, it is better to clean up after yourself in case something spills on you and always keep an eye on your belongings in such situations.

Common around: Deira and Bur Dubai districts in Dubai.

Some tips to keep in mind to avoid being scammed in the United Arab Emirates are:

• Always be careful with your belongings as a lot of scams, like pickpocketing, happen in crowded places, tourist hubs, etc.
• Having a good Travel Insurance plan can protect your trip. International Travel Insurance to UAE not only comes with medical benefits, but also loss of passports, baggage delays, stolen wallets, financial emergency cash, and a lot more! You can read about the different coverages in Travel Insurance here.
• Shopping scams, especially when buying gold or similar products, are common. Be it online or in-store, always verify the buyer, the quality of the product, read the reviews and confirm the price offered before making a final purchase. 
• Use local transport apps or official sites when booking a taxi or cab in the UAE. This will ensure that you pay a pre-determined rate and drivers won’t be able to overcharge you for your ride.
• If you see or suspect a scam, you can always report it to the local police officials.

If you face any difficulty when in the UAE, you can call the emergency contact numbers listed below:

• Police: 999

• Ambulance: 998

• Fire/Civil defence: 997

• Abu Dhabi Tourism Police: +97128002626 and +97125127777

• Dubai Tourism Police: +97146096239.

• UAE Government services and information: 171

• You can also reach out to the Indian Embassy in UAE: 00-971-2-4492700

The United Arab Emirates is a safe place for tourists to visit. The local laws are strict and ensure the safety of the citizens and tourists who visit the country. You can travel safely around the country if you follow these easy tips to avoid getting scammed. It’s also good practice to read up on the customs and traditions of the country you are travelling to beforehand to avoid falling into any trouble.