A Sharjah misdemeanours court has convicted two people in absentia over a fake lottery scam, sentencing them to six months in prison and ordering their deportation from the UAE. According to the ruling, the victim was lured with the promise of a Dh200,000 prize and ultimately lost Dh84,000 to the scheme.
Case details show the perpetrators contacted the victim claiming they had won a prize draw, then requested payment of supposed fees or taxes before the winnings could be released. This scam pattern remains one of the most common forms of phone and online fraud in the UAE, affecting dozens of residents and visitors every year.
UAE police and judicial authorities have repeatedly warned the public against trusting messages or calls promising large cash prizes for lotteries the recipient never entered. Cybersecurity specialists advise that any request for upfront payment before receiving a prize, however small, should be treated as a clear warning sign of fraud.
The case serves as another reminder of the need for vigilance against financial scams, particularly as fraudsters increasingly use spoofed numbers and fake identities to gain victims' trust. UAE judicial authorities say they will continue pursuing similar cases firmly and have urged the public to report suspicious calls or messages to police without delay.