Dubai authorities recently prosecuted and sentenced three Asian men for running a sophisticated mobile signal hijacking fraud that targeted unsuspecting residents in the Dubai Marina area. Each defendant received six months in prison for using jamming equipment to trick victims into connecting to a false mobile network, a scam that initially surfaced after residents reported unusual banking messages on their phones.
How the Dubai scammers operated: A high-tech fraud scheme in UAE emirate
According to Dubai Criminal Court records, the group imported specialised equipment capable of jamming legitimate mobile signals and replacing them with a rogue frequency, effectively creating a fraudulent parallel network. Any mobile phone in the vicinity automatically connected to this bogus signal.Once connected, the system sent fake SMS messages that appeared to originate from banks or official institutions, complete with convincing language and logos. The texts included malicious links designed to harvest personal and financial information, which the criminals later used to siphon money from victims’ accounts.Police forensic analysis traced the signal around Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, eventually leading officers to a vehicle parked with the devices installed including jammers, signal receivers and computers powered by improvised converters.
Official condemnation and Dubai legal response
During the court proceedings, the defendants denied wrongdoing, claiming they were hired via Telegram and paid to drive the vehicle or install the equipment. However, prosecutors presented a strong digital trail, and the court rejected those defences, ruling the evidence conclusive. The judges ordered confiscation of all seized devices and decreed that the men should be deported after serving their sentences.
Dubai Marina Mobile Signal Hijacking Fraud: Three Jailed for Sophisticated Scam
Authorities stated that others connected to the criminal ring remain at large, indicating that this may have been part of a broader organised operation. Hijacking mobile signals to create a fake network represents a relatively novel class of cyber-enabled fraud, one that goes beyond typical phishing or malicious SMS scams. By interfering directly with legitimate telecom infrastructure, scammers can bypass many layers of digital protection mechanisms that users and networks rely on.A similar episode occurred in 2024 when another group was caught transmitting a fake mobile network in Dubai, also using jamming devices to send phishing SMS links designed to install malware or compromise phone data. In that case, Dubai Police had also warned the public to be vigilant about suspicious messages claiming to come from banks or government bodies.These devices, often called “fake base stations,” mimic a legitimate network tower’s signal and trick devices to connect to them, allowing cybercriminals to intercept data or redirect victims to fraudulent sites.
Rising cybercrime risks in the UAE
Cybercrime remains a significant concern in the UAE, despite robust law enforcement efforts. According to data from the UAE Cybersecurity Council, millions of attempted cyber attacks are blocked annually, and residents are frequent targets of scams involving phishing, hacking, “smishing” (SMS phishing) and investment frauds.
Dubai’s ‘Fake Network’ Scammers: Six Months for High-Tech Bank Fraud
Dubai Police and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority frequently urge users to be cautious about unsolicited messages or links and to rely only on verified communication channels for financial or official correspondence. Officials have also warned that even convincing messages, complete with authentic logos and language, can still be fraudulent if they originate from spoofed numbers or unexpected sources.
What Dubai and other UAE residents should do to stay safe
In light of this case and rising mobile fraud tactics, cyber safety experts generally recommend that UAE residents and visitors take the following precautions:
- Avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, even if they appear to come from banks or government agencies.
- Verify the sender’s number and contact the institution directly using official contact details.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all financial and critical accounts.
- Report suspicious messages or incidents through the UAE Police or e-crime platforms.
These simple steps can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of signal hijacking schemes or other digital fraud.The 2026 convictions in the Dubai Marina mobile signal hijacking case highlight the evolving nature of cybercrime in the region. The UAE is actively combating high-tech fraud that threatens residents’ security and financial wellbeing. As criminals adopt more sophisticated techniques to exploit mobile networks and digital trust, authorities are responding with coordinated policing, legal deterrence and public awareness campaigns.