Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police arrested a gang of 11 people for cheating residents of their money by sending phone text messages saying they had won cash prizes, the police said on Thursday.
The culprits sent fake text messages to people’s mobile phones making them believe they had won cash prizes. They then asked the victims to send them bank details to deposit the winning amounts in their bank accounts and transferred money from their accounts.
Colonel Mubarak Saif Al Sabosi, acting director of the Criminal Security Sector of Al Ain Police Directorate, said police received complaints from a number of citizens and expatriates saying that they had been cheated by unknown persons, who made them believe through text messages that they had won cash prizes and disclose their bank details.
Following investigation, the police arrested 11 persons and seized credit cards, cheque books and cash from their possession. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to scamming people, Col Al Sabosi said.
The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution.
Col Al Sabosi advised residents to be cautious before disclosing bank details and be wary of fraudsters.
