Dubai Police has issued a warning about increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting motorists, emphasising the importance of verifying insurance providers and maintaining proper vehicle documentation to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
Dubai Police has issued a fresh warning about online vehicle-insurance scams, saying fraudsters are using fake adverts, impersonated broker accounts and social media posts to lure motorists into handing over money and sensitive personal details. According to the force’s Anti-Fraud Centre, the schemes often rely on unusually cheap offers or urgent renewal messages to pressure people into acting quickly before they have checked whether the seller is genuine.
The warning is a useful reminder that the cheapest quote is not always the safest one. Dubai Police and local media reports say motorists should first verify that any insurer or broker is properly licensed and registered before making a payment. The Central Bank of the UAE says its licensing function covers the supervision and authorisation of financial institutions, which is why checking the official list matters before any policy purchase.
Scammers are also known to push buyers towards personal bank transfers, mobile numbers or links that collect card data, vehicle details and one-time verification codes. Legitimate insurers should issue documentation under their company name, while pressure tactics, social-media-only sales pitches and requests for immediate payment are all warning signs. Motorists are better off confirming the policy through the insurer’s main contact channels rather than relying on a message or advertisement.
The issue is not just about fraud prevention. It also underlines the value of keeping a car’s paperwork in order. CarSwitch says that on its July 2026 listings, vehicles with a minor accident on record sold for about 9% less than comparable cars with clean histories, while cars with no service history could fetch roughly 14% less. The company also said cars still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty sold for about 5% more than those without it.
That makes the advice from both police and dealers easy to apply: keep every service record, inspection paper and insurance document, and never pay until the policy is verified. If a quote looks far below market level, if the seller refuses to use an official company account, or if the policy details do not match the vehicle, the safest move is to walk away and check again.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
