Highlights
- A Dubai resident, Rahul Khillare, falls victim to a fake fast-food website scam, losing Dh14,000.
- Khillare clicked on a social media advertisement offering a Dh14 combo meal deal from a popular fast-food chain.
- The advertisement directed him to a fake website resembling the genuine fast-food chain’s site.
- Despite attempting to alert the bank, the money was already withdrawn from Khillare’s account.
- UAE authorities continually warn residents to exercise caution with social media ads and to verify information from official sources.
- Banks in the UAE regularly remind customers of safe online practices.
- Refunds for lost money due to scams are generally not provided by banks in cases of customer negligence.
- Khillare emphasizes the importance of avoiding clicking on social media ads and making orders only through official company websites.
Fake Fast-Food Website Scam
A Dubai resident recently fell prey to a fake fast-food website scam that resulted in a loss of Dh14,000. Rahul Khillare, a long-term resident of Dubai, came across an advertisement on a social media platform offering an enticing deal of Dh14 for a combo meal from a popular fast-food chain. Tempted by the offer, he clicked on the link and entered his credit card details to make the purchase.
How It Happened
However, instead of being charged Dh14 as advertised, Khillare was shocked to discover that his credit card was debited with a staggering Dh14,000. The ad had directed him to a fake website that closely resembled the genuine fast-food chain’s site.
Read Also: Dubai Police Issue Urgent Warning About Phishing Scam Targeting Residents
Be Cautious
Khillare’s attempt to alert the bank was in vain as the money had already been withdrawn from his account. UAE authorities have repeatedly warned residents to exercise caution when encountering social media ads and to take precautions before sharing personal and financial details online.
To combat such scams
Officials advise consumers to verify information from official channels and verified social media accounts and websites. Banks also regularly send reminders to customers about safe online practices. While some banks may refund money lost due to scams, they generally do not provide refunds for transactions made due to customer negligence.
Lesson Learned
Khillare learned a valuable lesson from this experience, vowing to avoid clicking on social media advertisements in the future and to only make orders directly through official company websites.
It’s a reminder for everyone to stay vigilant against online scams and to be cautious when sharing sensitive information online.
