Online seller in Dubai warns of new scam targeting residents

The WhatsApp message with a link to a phishing website.

PHOTO BY EXPAT MEDIA

New scam targets Dubai resident selling personal items on Dubizzle

A Dubai resident has raised alarm after nearly falling victim to a new scam targeting people selling their personal items on classifieds website Dubizzle.

The expat, who had just moved to Dubai in recent months, told Expatmedia.net that she had posted some of her personal photography items for sale on Dubizzle when someone contacted her to buy them.

“The person sent me a message on WhatsApp. He said he was going to transfer funds via FedEx to my bank account as payment, and then asked for my bank account and IBAN number,” said the woman, who requested anonymity.

The fake buyer then sent her a link, purportedly to complete the FedEx fund transfer. However, alarm bells started ringing when she started to answer the online form.

“To receive the funds, I was asked to key in my ATM card number and also the CCV. I stopped then and there,” she said. The CCV is a card security code that allows transactions to be approved.

A closer look at the website link also revealed that the site is not related to FedEx. The fake website’s address is fedex.guardy-delivery.online.

“I hope people will learn from my experience and be alert about these kinds of modus. Let’s not fall for these scammers,” the Dubai resident said.

It is not the first time that scammers have targeted Dubizzle users. Scammers have also used SMS as part of a phishing attempt on unsuspecting victims.

Users with an active classifieds listing on Dubizzle have received an SMS from random numbers asking to confirm a Dubizzle delivery. The SMS included a hyperlink.

The scam SMS informs the seller that a buyer has made a payment for the item they are selling and then asks for credit card details in order to deposit the money. Dubizzle has alerted users to report such incidents.

Police in the UAE have also repeatedly warned residents against sharing their personal banking details, saying no bank representative or official will ever ask for these details. ICA/Expat Media

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