Al Ketbi Firm has issued a public advisory after a recent report by Khaleej Times revealed a surge in OTP-based fraud in the UAE, where cybercriminals impersonate officials to pressure residents into sharing confidential information.

According to the report, victims receive calls or messages requesting one-time passwords (OTPs) under the pretext of account verification, package delivery, or government documentation. Once shared, fraudsters gain access to personal accounts and financial data.

Read the original news report here →

Al Ketbi Firm’s Statement

“As cyber threats evolve, criminals are becoming increasingly manipulative,” stated Al Ketbi Firm. “Malware hidden in commonly used mobile applications often extracts user credentials in the background. These stolen details are then exploited to impersonate banks, delivery services, and even government authorities — making fraud attempts appear legitimate.”

How Residents Can Protect Themselves

Al Ketbi Firm recommends the following safety measures to avoid falling victim to OTP scams:

• Never share OTPs or verification codes, even if the request appears to be from an official source.
• Verify any communication directly with the concerned authority using their official number or website.
• Avoid downloading unfamiliar applications, even if they appear to be from trusted app stores.
• Regularly review installed apps and uninstall those that are unused or from unknown publishers.
• Use secured internet connections and keep mobile devices updated with the latest security patches.

Al Ketbi Firm’s Commitment

As part of its cybersecurity awareness initiative, Al Ketbi Firm continues to monitor digital threat trends and educate both individuals and organizations across the UAE.

“Fraud can only be defeated through awareness. Our goal is to equip every resident with practical knowledge to detect and avoid these scams before damage occurs.”