Residents of the United Arab Emirates have received a warning about the growing risk of scams related to deepfake technology. Scammers are creating fake videos, audio recordings, and images that appear to originate from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre).
The Ministry strongly recommends that people do not rely on the convincing appearance or sound of a video or voice message to consider it authentic. Perpetrators may use deepfake technology to impersonate Mohre employees or officials to deceive people into revealing personal information, clicking on malicious links, or transferring money.
To protect data and finances from fraudulent attempts, the Ministry has shared several important tips and checks that UAE residents should keep in mind.
How scammers can use deepfakes
According to Mohre, scammers are capable of generating:
- Fake videos
- Audio recordings
- Images
These materials can be designed to look as if they were sent by the ministry itself or one of its employees. The messages may contain urgent demands or announcements intended to prompt recipients to act immediately—for example, sharing confidential information or making a payment.
How to protect yourself
The Ministry advised residents to take several precautions when receiving an unexpected video, voice message, or request supposedly from Mohre. The following rules must be observed:
- Do not trust a video or voice message solely based on its realism.
- Verify any request or announcement through official Mohre channels.
- Never provide personal or banking information in response to unverified messages or calls.
- Always check links before clicking on them.
Furthermore, the Ministry emphasized that if there is any doubt, one should refrain from responding to the request and contact the Mohre Contact Center to confirm the authenticity of the message or the identity of the Ministry representative. The Ministry reminded that new and developing technologies can imitate voices and faces, but the most reliable way to protect personal data and funds from fraud is verification through official channels.