Dubai Police Warn Residents Against Purchasing Stolen Credit Card Data Online

Dubai Police issued a public advisory on Tuesday warning residents against engaging with online advertisements that promote the sale of stolen credit card data. The authority noted a rise in illicit offers across various social media and encrypted messaging platforms, where cybercriminals attempt to sell hacked financial credentials. Legal Consequences for Buyers Under the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes, the purchase or use of stolen credit card information is a punishable offense. Individuals caught acquiring such data face significant legal action, including imprisonment and heavy financial penalties. Police officials clarified that purchasing these details makes the buyer a participant in the original crime rather than a victim of a scam. Cybercriminals often lure victims by offering credit cards with high balances for a small fraction of their value. Dubai Police stated that these transactions frequently involve the use of the "Dark Web" or private groups where anonymity is promised, though local cyber-forensics teams actively monitor these channels to trace illicit financial flows. Reporting Suspicious Activity The authorities…