Online Fraud – Real story, one important advice from Counsellor Lubna Ali 

By: Alaa Babiker

In today’s hyper-connected world, the internet has opened doors to convenience, opportunity, and instant communication. Unfortunately, it has also opened doors to criminals. Online fraud (the act of using the internet to deceive people or organizations for financial or personal gain) has become one of the fastest-growing global crimes. From phishing emails to fake investment schemes, fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, targeting both individuals and businesses.

Types of Online Fraud

1. Phishing: Fraudsters send emails, messages, or fake websites that mimic trusted organizations, tricking victims into revealing personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers.

2. Identity Theft: Cybercriminals steal personal details (like bank account information, or ID scans) and use them to open fraudulent accounts, apply for loans, or make purchases.

3. Online Shopping Scams: Fake e-commerce websites offer products at too-good-to-be-true prices, only to take payment without delivering goods – or delivering counterfeit items.

4. Investment & Crypto Scams: Fraudulent platforms promise high returns on investments, including in cryptocurrencies, but disappear once they’ve collected enough money.

5. Romance Scams: Fraudsters create fake online dating profiles to emotionally manipulate victims, eventually persuading them to send money.

6. Business Email Compromise (BEC): Hackers infiltrate a company email account, tricking employees into transferring large sums of money to fraudulent accounts.

Giving this brief about online fraud, everyone using online transactions is most likely to get phished during an online process.

Today, we have Counsellor Lubna Ali, who was recently being a victim of online scamming and lost over $ 1,000 over an online transaction.

We have prepared several questions regarding this significant matter, and her answers were as follows:

1. Tell us what happened?

I was planning to travel from Canada back to United Arab Emirates, and I booked an air ticket from one of Canada’s airports to the take me to the main airport from which I would take my flight back to UAE.

I have booked by myself using an online website of the airlines I wanted to take, and I have received a confirmation letter after booking. Till here everything was normal.

2. How did you find out what happened?

I have arrived to the airport at the booked date and time, my family had dropped me and left back home.

At the checking point I was told that the ticket is invalid and that it was not real.

3. How did you feel about it?

I felt very disturbed and angry about the whole situation. I was alone at the airport, and my family had already gone back home. For a second it felt like the whole world is collapsing as all of my plans had dropped at one second.

4. What is your advice to everyone who is booking online air tickets?

Be very careful when you use online transactions, not just airlines but any site that asks for money transfer. And when it comes to money, always deal with trusted agencies and trusted people that you know.

In the end, and as Counsellor Lubna Ali advised. Always be careful when you make online transactions. Stay safe everyone.