Taylor Swift fans in the UAE were urged to avoid clicking on social media adverts promoting tickets for a non-existent Dubai concert at the Coca-Cola arena in January.
Sites including Facebook have advertised a coming Dubai leg of Swift’s hugely popular Eras Tour, which Al Wasl venue confirmed was a scam.
Promotional material aimed to entice the US singer’s fans, collectively known as Swifties, into buying tickets that do not exist. The scam claimed the concert was taking place on January 31.
Fraudsters cynically enticed fans of the world’s biggest pop star in the run up to Christmas when parents may be easily duped into buying tickets that are notoriously difficult to obtain.
One site was even offering a 30 per cent discount on tickets, in an attempt to join the online shopping furore during Black Friday sales promotions at the end of November.
A spokesman for the Coca-Cola Arena said legal notices to shut down websites and hosting domains promoting fake concerts were sent out up to three times a week.
“There has been an increased number of fake events being associated with Coca-Cola Arena,” he said. “Any event not listed on our verified social media platforms or the official website is a scam. To avoid buying fake tickets, please make your purchases directly on our website or through the approved tickets site only.
“Your safety is important to us, please verify the platform before buying any tickets. If you’re not sure, please check with us first.”
Huge demand
Genuine tickets for Swift’s Eras tour sold out in minutes when first going on sale in 2022.
Demand was so high that it led to a record-breaking number of people trying to purchase tickets. A reported 10 million people attended Swift concerts around the world on the tour, but the singer did not perform anywhere in the Middle East.
Social media has become a hotbed for scammers and con-artists promising deals for tickets and experiences that do not exist. Fake, discounted tickets have been offered for attractions on Yas Island, including Sea World.
One woman said she was promised Sea World tickets for Dh150, less than half the admission price of Dh375. After she had sent the money in an online transaction, the vendor’s ticket page was deactivated.
A report this month by Reuters claimed that 10 per cent of Meta's sales in 2024, representing about $16 billion, were derived from online adverts for scams and banned goods.
The Reuters report was based on internal company documents which showed Meta's attempts to measure the prevalence of scam advertising on its popular apps.
Meta – which operates Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – said in response that it aggressively addresses scams and fraudulent adverts on its platforms and said the 10 per cent sales projection was a "rough and overly inclusive estimate rather than a definitive and final figure".
Police urge vigilance
Police in the UAE regularly issue warnings and guidance to protect consumers against online fraud. In October, Dubai Police staged a cybersecurity awareness month and brought together leading experts and specialists in cyber security and digital transformation.
A month of forums, and outreach work in the community aimed to increase understanding of the latest threats, and how to stay safe online. Speaking at the forum, Lt Col Dr Expert Saeed Al Marri said Dubai Police was committed to raising awareness across society.
“Cybersecurity today forms the backbone of national resilience,” he said. “It is essential for safeguarding our digital society, ensuring the continuity of vital services, and countering the growing threats targeting our institutions.
“In line with this vision, Dubai Police continues to develop an integrated cybersecurity ecosystem based on preparedness, response, digital recovery, and AI-driven analysis to protect vital data and assets.”
Common red flags for fake ticket offers on social media
- Too-good-to-be-true prices: Scammers often lure victims with prices that are significantly lower than the official ticket cost.
- Urgency: Scammers may pressure you to act fast, claiming limited availability, to prevent you from carefully considering the offer.
- Payment requests outside official channels: Be wary of requests to pay through direct transfers, non-secure payment apps or by sharing credit card details directly with the seller.
- Promises to transfer tickets before payment: Some scams promise to send the tickets to you first, but this is often a trick to get your money without ever sending a ticket.
- Seller claims they “can't attend”: A common tactic is a post saying, "I ca't make it, selling to a deserving fan", which can be a way for scammers to appear legitimate.
- Impersonation: Scammers can hijack real accounts, making their posts look more trustworthy to a user's friends and followers.
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
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Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
RACE RESULTS
1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 6.012
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:13.160
7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap
11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1 lap
14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps
16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
