Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have issued stern warnings to residents about a rise in fraudulent online advertisements falsely offering domestic worker recruitment services, urging the public to be vigilant and deal only with licensed agencies.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) highlighted that misleading social media posts and unlicensed recruiters posing as legitimate service providers can expose families and households to significant legal, financial and safety risks. Engaging with unauthorised entities, officials said, may lead to hiring untrained or undocumented workers, lack of legal protections, and potential health hazards, including exposure to infectious diseases.
In a related alert, Dubai Police’s Anti-Fraud Centre reiterated that scammers are increasingly exploiting social media platforms and other online channels to pose as recruitment agents, with the primary aim of illegally obtaining money from unsuspecting residents. Authorities warned that transferring funds to individuals or companies that operate outside official legal frameworks carries a high risk of fraud.
Officials emphasised that only recruitment offices licensed and accredited by the UAE government should be used when seeking to hire domestic help. These approved agencies are subject to monitoring and regulatory oversight to ensure service quality and protection of rights for employers, workers and the agencies themselves.
As part of broader efforts to combat online fraud under campaigns like #BewareOfFraud, the Dubai Police urged residents to verify the legitimacy of any service provider before sharing personal information or making payments. Suspected scams or suspicious advertisements can be reported through official channels, including the Dubai Police Smart App, the eCrime platform, or by calling the police non-emergency hotline.
The warnings come amid increasing concerns over online fraud in the UAE, with authorities consistently reminding the public to remain alert when interacting with online offers and to use only official and licensed channels for recruitment, visa processing and other services.