Dubai: Dubai Police and Meta have joined forces to raise cybersecurity awareness, combat online fraud and help protect the public from increasingly sophisticated scams targeting users across digital platforms.The collaboration was highlighted during an awareness forum organised by Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation in partnership with Meta as part of activities marking Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October.The forum emphasised the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies, technology companies and the public in addressing emerging cybercrime threats and promoting safer online behaviour.Building a safer digital environmentLieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Shehhi, Director of the Cybercrime Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, explained that the forum reflects Dubai Police’s continued commitment to educating the public about cybersecurity threats and preventive measures.He noted that Dubai Police is participating in the national awareness campaign launched by the Ministry of Interior on 1 October, in cooperation 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. 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,” he said.Public awareness as the first line of defenceThe forum featured a discussion led by Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah 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 stressed that public awareness remains the first line of defence against cybercrime, particularly as fraudsters continue to develop increasingly convincing methods to deceive victims.They highlighted the need to improve digital literacy, strengthen cybersecurity systems and technologies, and expand cooperation with technology companies and relevant authorities.Common online scams to watch out forDubai Police highlighted several common fraud techniques used to target individuals online, including:Impersonating official organisations: Fraudsters pose as government entities or trusted institutions to obtain personal or financial information.Fraudulent links: Suspicious messages direct users to fake websites designed to steal sensitive information.Fake investment opportunities: Scammers advertise misleading investment schemes promising financial returns.Fraudulent job offers: Criminals exploit jobseekers through fake recruitment advertisements and employment opportunities.Impersonating friends and relatives: Fraudsters pretend to be someone the victim knows to request money or sensitive information.Account takeover attempts: Criminals attempt to gain access to accounts by requesting verification codes, passwords or login credentials.Dubai Police urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid responding to suspicious messages, sharing passwords or verification codes, or opening links from unknown sources.Individuals were also 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 awareness campaigns reach hundreds of millionsMeta highlighted its ongoing efforts to protect users through awareness campaigns that reach hundreds of millions of people worldwide.The campaigns provide practical guidance on recognising scams, pausing before responding to suspicious requests, verifying the identity of senders and using the security features available across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.The company also outlined how 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.Advanced tools to protect usersMeta highlighted several security features designed to help protect users against online fraud and unauthorised account access.These include two factor authentication, passkeys, security and privacy checkup tools, and additional protective features within WhatsApp.The company explained that WhatsApp includes warning features designed to alert users to suspicious attempts to link their accounts to unauthorised devices, alongside enhanced two step verification measures.WhatsApp also provides additional information when users receive calls from unsaved numbers, allowing them to make more informed decisions before engaging with unfamiliar callers.More than 1 billion people have set up passkeys on WhatsApp, according to Meta.The company further explained that it uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify patterns associated with fraudulent activity and disable accounts and networks involved in scams across its platforms.Strengthening cooperation against cybercrimeThe forum reinforced the importance of combining public awareness, advanced security technologies and cooperation between law enforcement agencies 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.
