Mobile phone users in the UAE have recently been falling victim to VPN fraud, with some residents losing significant amounts of money from their post-paid mobile accounts. Noor Ahmed, a UAE resident, was losing over Dh3 every day from his post-paid account without realizing it until he reached his credit limit. Upon investigation, he discovered that a VPN app he had installed was causing the deductions. Once he uninstalled the app, the deductions stopped. Another resident, Masoom Fatima, also experienced a similar situation where her mobile balance vanished after recharging, and it was only resolved after removing the VPN app.
While the use of VPN is permitted in the UAE, its misuse can lead to legal implications, including imprisonment and fines of up to Dh2 million. Experts have highlighted the dangers of malicious VPN apps, which can allow scammers to access a user’s device and make unauthorized purchases, leading to deductions from post-paid or pre-paid mobile balances. Ezzeldin Hussein, a regional senior director at Sentinel One, explained that scammers can intercept sensitive information like account credentials for app stores through malicious VPN apps, enabling them to make unauthorized purchases.
Karthik Anandarao, Chief Technical Evangelist at Manage Engine, emphasized that mobile phones are susceptible to cyberattacks, with scammers being able to deduct money from users’ mobile balances easily once they gain access to the device. He also noted that using a VPN does not guarantee protection from hackers, as certain attributes like location and IP address may change while other sensitive information remains vulnerable. Users should remain cautious and vigilant to prevent balance theft and unauthorized transactions by promptly reporting any suspicious activities to their telecom operators.
Ezzeldin Hussein advised that telecom operators have mechanisms in place to detect unusual activities and potential fraudulent transactions, such as sudden large purchases or multiple small transactions within a short period of time. By analyzing customer usage patterns and billing records, operators can identify discrepancies and investigate unauthorized charges. Customers are encouraged to monitor their accounts regularly and report any suspicious activities to operators promptly to prevent further losses. Ultimately, awareness and proactive measures are key to safeguarding mobile balances and preventing fraud.
