UAE cyber authority warns of rise in AI-driven online scams

The UAE Cybersecurity Council has warned artificial intelligence is making online fraud harder to detect, as criminals increasingly use advanced tools to create highly convincing scams.

In its latest weekly message under the "Cyber Pulse" awareness campaign, the council said AI-enabled fraud techniques now allow scammers to carry out in seconds what once took significant time and effort. These include generating realistic voice imitations, altering logos to appear official, and producing polished messages designed to create urgency and panic.

The council said artificial intelligence has blurred the line between genuine and fake online content, with AI-powered phishing now linked to more than 90 per cent of digital security breaches. Messages are often carefully crafted to remove traditional warning signs, making them appear legitimate to unsuspecting users.

Officials urged the public to remain cautious when receiving messages that request personal or financial information, particularly those containing links or claiming to be urgent security alerts. Users were advised to verify information through trusted or official channels before taking any action.

The council said individuals play a key role in preventing cybercrime by strengthening their awareness of how artificial intelligence can be misused. It warned that AI-generated images and advertisements circulating on social media can appear highly realistic and are increasingly being used to mislead people into scams.

As part of the campaign, the Cybersecurity Council recommended practical steps to reduce risk, including avoiding unverified links, enabling multi-factor authentication, using security software, and checking messages carefully for inconsistencies or errors.

Now in its second year, the Cyber Pulse campaign continues across social media platforms as part of the UAE’s broader efforts to promote safe online behaviour and strengthen confidence in the country’s digital ecosystem amid rapid technological change.