Dubai Doctor Falls Victim to Credit Card Fraud: Over Dh120,000 Stolen During Surgery

A Dubai-based doctor was left in shock after discovering that her credit card was used for 14 unauthorised transactions worth over Dh120,000, all while she was performing a surgery.

How the Fraud Unfolded in Dubai

Dr. Anita Singh (name changed on request), a premier customer of an international bank in Dubai, stated that her credit card was never digitised on any mobile device and was always in her possession. Despite this, multiple transactions were made over seven hours, including large purchases at Dubai Mall electronics stores and Sharjah retailers, with many exceeding Dh10,000.

Shockingly, four transactions were approved even after her card reached its credit limit, and two were processed in Kuwaiti Dinars (KWD)—all without requiring an OTP (One-Time Password).

Bank’s Response Raises Questions

Despite detecting a suspicious transaction early on, Dr. Singh claims the bank failed to block her card or alert her. Instead, the fraudulent transactions continued, and payments were even posted after she reported the fraud.

“They identified fraud after the second transaction but did nothing to stop it. If they knew it was suspicious, why didn’t they freeze the card?” she questioned.

The bank later informed her that the transactions were made via Apple Pay, but Dr. Singh had never registered for Apple Pay. Apple also confirmed that her card was never linked to their service, raising concerns about how these transactions were authorised.

After weeks of frustration, she took to social media to escalate her complaint, only then receiving a response from the bank.

Seeking Justice in Dubai

Dr. Singh has since filed a police complaint in Dubai, and the bank offered her a 12-month instalment plan to repay the fraudulent charges—a proposal she flatly rejected.

“I did not authorise these transactions, so I should not have to pay for them,” she said.

Banking Fraud Cases on the Rise in the UAE

Dr. Singh’s case is not an isolated incident. Dubai residents have increasingly reported credit card fraud where transactions were processed without OTP verification.

Other victims include:

• Ajoy Joseph, who found three credit cards fraudulently issued in his name using a forged Emirates ID.

• Ayesha Naseem, whose credit card was used in Qatar, despite never leaving the UAE.

• Sarika Thadani, who continued to be charged for transactions even after blocking her card.

• Abdul Kader, a driver, who had his entire bank account emptied without any OTP verification.

Cybersecurity experts in Dubai warn that banking fraud cases are increasing, with some public sector entities facing over 50,000 cyber threats daily.

Protecting Yourself from Banking Fraud in Dubai

Legal consultant Hossam Zakaria of Dubai-based HZ Legal advised victims to seek legal counsel to explore compensation options.

Tips to Stay Safe:
Regularly monitor your bank statements.
Enable real-time transaction alerts.
Use secure payment methods and avoid public Wi-Fi for banking.
If you suspect fraud, immediately contact your bank and report it to Dubai Police.

Stay updated on banking fraud cases, cybersecurity trends, and consumer rights in Dubai!

Source : Khaleejtimes