Dubai Police and Meta unite to strengthen cybersecurity and fight online fraud
Dubai Police have partnered with Meta to boost public awareness of cybersecurity and combat the growing wave of online scams targeting users across digital platforms. The collaboration was the focus of an awareness forum organised by Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation in cooperation with Meta, held as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October.
The forum underscored the need for joint efforts between law enforcement, technology companies, and the public to tackle emerging cybercrime threats and encourage safer online behaviour. Officials stressed that cooperation is essential to building a more secure digital environment.
Commitment to public education
Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Shehhi, Director of the Cybercrime Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said the forum demonstrates Dubai Police’s ongoing dedication to educating the public about cybersecurity risks and preventive measures. He noted that Dubai Police is taking part in a national awareness campaign launched by the Ministry of Interior on 1 October, in coordination with Dubai Police and the Dubai Electronic Security Centre, under the slogan “A Safer UAE Through Your Digital Awareness”.
“This forum highlights the importance of building a strong digital security partnership between police organisations, technology companies and the community,” Al Shehhi said. “Such cooperation strengthens proactive prevention, raises awareness of digital risks and helps establish a safer and more trusted online environment that keeps pace with rapid developments in technology and artificial intelligence.”
The forum featured a discussion led by Al Shehhi alongside Major Khalid Tahlak, Deputy Director for Monitoring and Security Programmes; Captain Saeed Adel Al Suwaidi, Head of the Electronic Monitoring Section; and Lieutenant Ahmed Abdullah Al Shehhi, Head of the Cybercrime Prediction and Analysis Centre Section. Participants emphasised that public awareness remains the first line of defence against cybercrime, especially as fraudsters develop increasingly convincing methods to deceive victims. They called for improved digital literacy, stronger cybersecurity systems, and expanded cooperation with technology companies and relevant authorities.
Common scams to watch for
Dubai Police highlighted several fraud techniques commonly used to target individuals online. These include impersonating official organisations, where fraudsters pose as government entities or trusted institutions to obtain personal or financial information; fraudulent links in suspicious messages that direct users to fake websites designed to steal sensitive data; fake investment opportunities promising misleading returns; fraudulent job offers that exploit jobseekers through fake recruitment advertisements; impersonation of friends and relatives to request money or sensitive information; and account takeover attempts, where criminals try to gain access by requesting verification codes, passwords, or login credentials.
The police urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid responding to suspicious messages, refrain from sharing passwords or verification codes, and not open links from unknown sources. Individuals were advised to verify the identity of people and organisations before transferring money or disclosing personal information, and to report suspected fraud immediately through official channels.
Meta’s tools and awareness campaigns
Meta highlighted its ongoing efforts to protect users through awareness campaigns that reach hundreds of millions of people globally. The campaigns offer practical guidance on recognising scams, pausing before responding to suspicious requests, verifying sender identities, and using security features available on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company explained that it combines technology, artificial intelligence, public awareness initiatives, and partnerships with government and law enforcement agencies to help users identify fraudulent activity, report suspicious behaviour, and take appropriate preventive action.
Meta detailed several security features designed to protect users against online fraud and unauthorised account access, including two-factor authentication, passkeys, security and privacy checkup tools, and additional protective features within WhatsApp. WhatsApp includes warning features that alert users to suspicious attempts to link their accounts to unauthorised devices, along with enhanced two-step verification measures. The app also provides additional information when users receive calls from unsaved numbers, helping them make informed decisions before engaging with unfamiliar callers.
According to Meta, more than one billion people have set up passkeys on WhatsApp. The company also uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify patterns associated with fraudulent activity and disable accounts and networks involved in scams across its platforms.
The forum reinforced the importance of combining public awareness, advanced security technologies, and cooperation between law enforcement and technology companies to address evolving cybercrime threats. Dubai Police emphasised that informed users play a vital role in preventing online fraud and that continued awareness efforts are essential to building a safer digital environment. Through its collaboration with Meta and other partners, Dubai Police aims to strengthen preventive cybersecurity measures, improve public understanding of emerging scams, and encourage responsible digital practices across the community.
