Abu Dhabi Police warn of fake search engine links stealing banking data

Abu Dhabi Police have alerted the public to fraudulent links appearing at the top of search results, designed to steal personal and banking information.

Fake search links used to harvest banking details, Abu Dhabi Police say

Abu Dhabi Police have issued a public warning about fraudulent links appearing prominently in search engine results, gulfnews.com reports, noting that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting this method to steal personal and banking information from unsuspecting users.

Authorities said fake links are deliberately crafted to resemble trusted platforms — including government services and consumer protection websites — making them difficult to distinguish from legitimate sources.

"Fraudsters use misleading links to trick users into sharing sensitive information," officials stated, stressing that verifying the source before entering any personal details is essential.

According to police, cybercriminals employ professional techniques to position fake websites at the top of search results. Once a user clicks through, they are typically prompted to enter personal or banking credentials, which are then exploited for fraud.

Police urged the public to use only official, approved websites and applications when accessing government services, searching for information, or completing online payments. They also reminded residents to double-check website addresses and refrain from sharing sensitive data unless the source can be confirmed as trustworthy.

Officials said such tactics are becoming more widespread, making public awareness a critical line of defence against cybercrime.

Abu Dhabi Police called on residents to report any suspected fraud attempts immediately through the Aman service. Reports can be submitted by calling 8002626, sending a text message to 2828, or emailing [email protected]. Cases can also be reported via the "Police Station in Your Phone" service.

The warning forms part of ongoing community outreach efforts aimed at reducing online fraud and strengthening overall digital safety, police said.

Source: Google News UAE — Courts & Fraud