The rising trend of fraudulent websites mimicking legitimate food delivery platforms to extract credit card details from unsuspecting customers has been highlighted by a recent incident involving a single mother in Bur Dubai, Sarika Thadani. Sarika fell victim to a phishing scam that turned a simple Dh29 meal into a Dh9,872 loss. She attempted to place an order through a Facebook advertisement offering discounted meals from a popular fried chicken outlet. However, after submitting the OTP provided by the bank, she was billed Dh2,020 instead of the expected Dh29. Multiple unauthorized transactions totaling Dh9,872.69 were made, leading to her loss.
Sarika expressed disappointment with the bank’s response and questioned the lack of a system to hold such transactions when fraudulent activity is reported immediately. She requested the bank to halt the transactions and block her card, followed by filing a complaint at the Al Raffa Police Station and registering the case with Dubai Police. Despite these efforts, the bank closed the case, holding her liable for the charges because she had provided the OTP. Similar incidents have been reported in the past, underscoring the importance of vigilance and verification of websites before making online transactions.
Cybersecurity experts have emphasized the escalating threat of phishing scams, where fraudulent websites pose as legitimate food delivery platforms to deceive users into revealing their credit card information. Obaidullah Kazmi, the founder and chief technology officer of CREDO Technology Services LLC, highlighted the exploitation of attractive offers to obtain card details for unauthorized transactions. Education campaigns, swift action to shut down fraudulent websites, and collaboration between banks and law enforcement are crucial in minimizing the impact of such incidents.
Kazmi recommended that banks implement AI and ML-driven technology to analyze transaction patterns in real-time, detect anomalies, and predict potential fraudulent activities for proactive intervention. Authorities and banks continually advise residents to be vigilant and verify website authenticity, especially when prompted by advertisements on social media platforms. The incidents involving Sarika and other residents serve as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity awareness and caution when making online transactions to avoid falling victim to phishing scams and financial losses.
