Dubai Police warns against clicking on “quick response” codes of unknown origin

The Dubai Police General Command has warned community members of the dangers of dealing with quick response (QR) codes of unknown origin, stressing that using them without verifying their source may expose users to electronic fraud and the theft of their personal and financial data.

This came as part of Dubai Police’s ongoing efforts to enhance community awareness through the “Be Aware of Fraud” campaign, which aims to educate the public about the latest fraudulent methods that fraudsters exploit to trap victims, including the use of fake QR codes, which are published via text messages, emails, or even in public places.

Dubai Police explained that some fraudsters resort to designing QR codes to appear reliable and carry banner titles, such as winning prizes, obtaining discounts, or seeing the latest offers. When scanning them, the user is directed to fake sites requesting to enter personal data or banking information, which makes the user a victim of fraudsters, who hack his phone and data, and may seize his personal and financial accounts.

Dubai Police stressed the necessity of not scanning any QR code from unreliable or unidentified sources, and not entering any personal or functional information via unconfirmed links, stressing the importance of verifying the sending party before interacting with any digital content, especially if it includes unusual offers or requests, stressing that individual awareness is the first line of defense in confronting cybercrimes.

Dubai Police called on community members to immediately report any suspicious messages, links, or quick response codes through official channels, including the “eCrime” platform or through the email designated for receiving reports, or by calling (901) for non-emergency cases, stressing that community cooperation is an essential element in reducing these crimes.