Dubai Police have issued an urgent alert after a resident lost Dh10,000 in a staged-payment fraud linked to bogus social-media advertisements that promise quick recruitment of domestic workers complete with work visas.
Under the scam, fraudsters pose as unlicensed recruitment agencies and demand an initial payment to “secure the visa” followed by incremental fees for medicals and insurance. Once payments are made, the perpetrators disappear, leaving victims without recourse. Police say the con artists exploit families’ peak hiring cycles ahead of Ramadan and summer travel when demand for household staff and nannies spikes.
![Dubai Police Warn Residents of Fake Work-Visa ‘Domestic Helper’ Scams]()
Authorities remind residents that only agencies accredited by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) can legally arrange domestic-worker visas and that all payments must go through escrow-style Tadbeer centres. Engaging unlicensed brokers can expose employers to fines of up to Dh50,000 and potential immigration blacklisting.
Companies running relocation programmes for inbound assignees are also advised to vet any third-party service that offers “fast-track” maid visas as part of settling-in packages. Dubai Police’s #BewareOfFraud campaign urges victims to report incidents via the e-Crime portal or the 901 non-emergency hotline.
The warning underscores a broader UAE push to tighten oversight of the domestic-worker sector, which has seen multiple legal reforms—including standard contracts and minimum guarantees—to protect both employers and employees.
Under the scam, fraudsters pose as unlicensed recruitment agencies and demand an initial payment to “secure the visa” followed by incremental fees for medicals and insurance. Once payments are made, the perpetrators disappear, leaving victims without recourse. Police say the con artists exploit families’ peak hiring cycles ahead of Ramadan and summer travel when demand for household staff and nannies spikes.
Authorities remind residents that only agencies accredited by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) can legally arrange domestic-worker visas and that all payments must go through escrow-style Tadbeer centres. Engaging unlicensed brokers can expose employers to fines of up to Dh50,000 and potential immigration blacklisting.
Companies running relocation programmes for inbound assignees are also advised to vet any third-party service that offers “fast-track” maid visas as part of settling-in packages. Dubai Police’s #BewareOfFraud campaign urges victims to report incidents via the e-Crime portal or the 901 non-emergency hotline.
The warning underscores a broader UAE push to tighten oversight of the domestic-worker sector, which has seen multiple legal reforms—including standard contracts and minimum guarantees—to protect both employers and employees.
Source: Gulf News
