Authorities in the UAE have warned customers to never share one-time passwords with unidentified callers.
Abu Dhabi Police and fraud analysts at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) said there has been a rise in fake online deals where scammers ask people to share their one-time passwords (OTP), also known as one-time pins.
Scammers pose as company officials and tell users to generate an OTP to claim cash prizes or update their bank details. Bogus shipment companies also ask for money for fake deliveries.
No authority, bank or any other company will ask you for your OTP. Do not share it. This is the only protection between you and fraudsters
OTP is an authentication tool that ensures security for financial transactions.
When buying anything online using a credit or debit card, net banking or e-wallet, an OTP is sent to a user’s phone or email.
This is the last level of authentication, but scammers often steal this password by infecting people’s phones with malware.
Fraudsters can access passwords once a person clicks on a link. And, once online scammers steal the OTP, it is very easy for money to be transferred.
“You should not engage with people when they ask you to give the OTP,” said Mohammed Issa Al Balushi, head of the fraud risk department at ADIB.
“No authority – bank or any other company – will ask you for your OTP. Do not share it. This is the only protection between you and fraudsters.”
Capt Mohammed Rashid Al Aryani, director of the anti-fraud branch at Abu Dhabi Police, said awareness can prevent such crimes.
He said scammers often ask people to update their bank details or send a WhatsApp message about a fake lottery prize.
“This is mainly so that they can get your OTP. As soon as you interact with the sender, they try to convince you to update your bank details to receive the prize,” Capt Al Aryani said.
“As soon you share your OTP, they gain complete control over your account and begin transferring your money to their account or start purchasing things online using your account.”
Emails that ask for shipment fees are some of the latest scams, he said.
“The email will ask you to pay a small fee for a shipment delivery. This is how it starts, as soon as the individual starts filling out the form with their bank details, the scam begins,” he said.
Residents are advised to check with family members if they are expecting a shipment and to check the tracking number before responding to such emails.
Authorities also warned against online messages promising discounts and offers.
“Fraudsters will set up fake internet pages and claim restaurant discounts and offers. Unfortunately, these discounts are fake,” Capt Al Aryani said.
“Lured by the deals, people will click on the link and enter their details. But as soon as they do, the bank will send the OTP.
“I remember one person telling me that they never imagined they would be scammed. They simply saw an offer that said that they would get two visa cards instead of one.”
Scammers also plead for financial assistance, officials said.
Messages can be sent to a victim's contact list asking for financial help. People make the mistake of clicking on the link in the WhatsApp message as it seems to be coming from a trusted person, Mr Al Balushi said.
He urged people to check the authenticity of such messages.
Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
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MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Kane (50')
Newcastle United 0
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FIGHT CARD
Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)
Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
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iPhone XS Max
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iPhone XR
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Apple Watch Series 4
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What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was first created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
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A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
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Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
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