UAE Cybersecurity Council Alerts Public to Rising AI-Driven Fraud Threats
The UAE Cybersecurity Council has warned of a sharp rise in artificial intelligence-enabled fraud. As a result, it urged individuals and organisations to increase vigilance as cybercrime becomes harder to detect. Moreover, the warning came through the weekly Cyber Pulse awareness campaign, which focuses on emerging digital threats. Through this initiative, the Council aims to strengthen public understanding of evolving cyber risks.
According to the Council, artificial intelligence has fundamentally reshaped fraudulent practices. Previously time-consuming scams can now be executed in seconds. Consequently, cybercriminals can scale attacks with far greater speed and precision. In addition, AI-driven fraud often appears legitimate, which further complicates detection efforts.
Why AI Makes Fraud Harder to Detect
The Council explained that artificial intelligence increases deception by mimicking authenticity. For instance, fraudsters now use realistic voice imitations, altered logos, and polished text that appears official. As a result, many scams are framed as urgent security or financial requests. Furthermore, AI enables the creation of links that seem trustworthy, which has accelerated technology-driven fraud attempts.
Notably, AI-powered phishing now accounts for more than 90 per cent of digital breaches. Because scammers remove traditional warning signs, messages often appear almost perfectly authentic. Therefore, users must remain alert before clicking links or sharing information. Additionally, verifying advertisements and communications has become essential to avoid exposing sensitive or financial data.
As artificial intelligence use expands, the Council noted that the line between real and fake continues to blur. Consequently, users face increasingly complex fraud risks. This shift has increased the need for awareness-based defensive tools and stronger knowledge of emerging threats.
How Individuals Can Reduce AI-Driven Fraud Risks
The Council stressed that combating AI-enabled phishing begins at the individual level. First, users must build cyber awareness and understand how artificial intelligence can be misused. In particular, the Council warned that AI-generated images make many social media advertisements appear exceptionally perfect. As a result, fraudsters exploit these visuals to mislead users at an unprecedented scale.
Through its Cyber Pulse message, the campaign outlined practical steps to reduce risk. These include avoiding unverified links and checking for spelling or language errors in suspicious messages. In addition, users should verify information through trusted or official channels. Enabling multi-factor authentication is also critical, as it prevents more than 90 per cent of fraud attempts. Finally, activating security software helps detect threats and protect against malicious activity.
Now in its second year, the Cyber Pulse campaign continues across social media platforms. Ultimately, the initiative supports national efforts to build a secure digital environment. At the same time, it promotes strong cybersecurity practices that protect privacy and safety during rapid digital transformation.
