Unclear transfers, fake tickets, cloned top-up sites, holiday prizes and shopping deals: 5 Dubai tourist traps and how to spot them.
Find 25+ warnings for Dubai in the app
The 5 most common Dubai scams
The transfer with an unclear fare
How it worksAfter a flight, an immediate lift sounds convenient. Accepting an unsolicited ride instead of a licensed taxi can leave you without a clear tariff. Private transfers can be legitimate, but the operator and terms should be easy to verify.
WhereOn arrival at Dubai International Airport.
How to protect yourself
- Follow signs to the DTC taxi rank. The starting fare is AED 25, with distance charges added.
- Licensed Dubai taxis are cream with different coloured roofs. Decline unsolicited lifts from strangers.
Attraction tickets from a cloned website
How it worksThe booking page looks familiar but is a copy. Clones have offered tickets for the Museum of the Future and Global Village. Your payment goes to fraudsters.
WhereWhen booking attractions online.
How to protect yourselfOpen the official website yourself and check its address before paying.
The fake Nol top-up page
How it worksYou want to recharge your transport card. A cloned RTA page takes your money without topping up your Nol card.
WhereIn online searches for card top-ups.
How to protect yourselfUse official RTA channels. Check the amount and recipient before approving any payment.
The holiday prize that becomes a sales pitch
How it worksA caller says you have won a gift or holiday prize. Collecting it means attending a presentation. Once there, you face pressure to sign an expensive holiday contract. Documented cases involved paid trips that never happened and a company that later disappeared.
WherePrize calls followed by presentations in offices or hotels. One documented case involved an office in Al Karama.
How to protect yourself
- Keep personal details private when an unexpected prize caller contacts you.
- Never sign under time pressure. Take the paperwork away and check the company and booking terms calmly.
The shopping deal from a fake store
How it worksA tempting discount takes you to a website copying a familiar brand. You order, but nothing arrives. Criminals can also use the card details you entered to take more money. Dubai Police have warned about this pattern.
WhereShopping links in social media posts and messages.
How to protect yourself
- Visit the shop directly and compare the web address.
- If you have paid already, contact your bank immediately and save the evidence.
Travel Dubai with fewer surprises
Which traps matter to you depends on how you travel: solo, with family or on a budget. That’s why TravelCheck on iPhone builds your own Dubai list, usable offline, with Arabic phrases you can play aloud.
FAQ
Is Dubai safe?
Crime levels in the UAE are low. However, Germany’s Federal Foreign Office advises against nonessential travel because of regional security risks. Low everyday crime does not mean the trip is safe overall. Check official travel advice before booking.
How much is a taxi from Dubai Airport?
DTC airport taxis have a starting fare of AED 25. Distance charges are added, so AED 25 is not the total fare for your journey. Use the designated taxi ranks at the terminals.
How can I spot fake attraction tickets?
Cloned sites have offered tickets for the Museum of the Future and Global Village. Open the attraction’s official website yourself and check the address before paying.
How do I top up my Nol card safely?
Use official RTA channels. Check the amount and recipient before approving payment. A familiar logo does not prove a website is genuine.
What should I do after a fraudulent card payment?
Contact your bank immediately, block the card if needed and save receipts and screenshots. You can report fraud to Dubai Police through eCrime or by calling 901.
Are holiday prize calls genuine?
A prize call can lead to a sales presentation for holiday packages. Dubai cases have been documented in which paid trips never happened. Avoid signing under pressure and check the company and contract in your own time.
