Dubai Regulator Issues Alert on Rising Voice-Cloning Scams Mimicking Officials

Dubai – The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has advised residents to immediately hang up and block unknown callers amid a noted increase in scams using voice-cloning technology to impersonate government officials.

Details of the Reported Scams

Authorities have logged several cases where fraudsters employ automated recordings or live calls to pose as officials, requesting personal or financial details under false pretenses. These incidents often involve threats of service disruptions, penalties, or legal steps to pressure victims into compliance. The TDRA's alert points out that scammers leverage AI to replicate voices convincingly, making it harder to detect the deception.

TDRA's Awareness Campaign on X

In a video shared on X, the TDRA demonstrated how AI can clone an official's voice to solicit sensitive information, such as bank details or identification numbers. The clip serves as part of a broader effort to educate the public on these tactics, which have become more sophisticated with advancements in synthetic media. The authority has received multiple reports of such calls, prompting the urgent message to prevent further incidents.

Key Reminders from Authorities

The TDRA clarified that genuine government bodies do not ask for confidential data over unsolicited phone calls, nor do they issue warnings of account suspensions, fines, or proceedings in this manner. All official communications follow established protocols through verified channels, avoiding random outreach that demands immediate action or information sharing.

Recommended Actions for Residents

To counter these threats, the TDRA outlined specific steps:

• Hang up without delay on any suspicious or unrecognized call.
• Block the number to halt repeated contacts.
• Refrain from providing personal or financial information under any circumstances.
• Access updates and services only via certified official sources.

Similar Trends in Other Jurisdictions

This issue mirrors alerts from other regions. In Singapore, the Police Force (SPF) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have cautioned against calls falsely claiming ties to the IMDA, SPF, or Attorney-General's Chambers, where scammers use spoofed numbers to demand payments or data. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has similarly flagged phone scams where callers impersonate officials, often promising to “secure” funds as a ruse to access accounts. These examples illustrate how voice cloning is being adapted across borders to exploit trust in institutions.