Dubai: The UAE Ministry of Interior, Dubai Police General Headquarters, and Visa have announced the launch of a joint nationwide campaign titled 'Don't Talk to Strangers Has No Age Limit', aimed at raising awareness and empowering members of the UAE community to protect themselves against fraud and e-crime.
According to Emirates News Agency, the collaboration between the UAE Ministry of Interior, Dubai Police General Headquarters, and Visa, a leader in digital payments, exemplifies the strengthening collaboration between public and private sectors to achieve strategic objectives in protecting society. The campaign seeks to raise public awareness at a time when fraudsters are increasingly targeting consumers worldwide through social media platforms and mobile phones, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and vigilance.
Brigadier Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al-Ahmad, Deputy Director General of the Federal Criminal Police, highlighted the Ministry's commitment to strengthening community partnerships to achieve the vision and directives of the UAE government. He noted that the partnership with Visa and Dubai Police embodies the Ministry of Interior's commitment to enhancing digital security and preventing electronic fraud by building a cooperative system with strategic partners from both public and private sectors.
Al-Ahmad also mentioned that the campaign aims to educate all segments of society and equip them with knowledge and tools to confront fraud attempts and e-crimes, ensuring a safe digital space for all. Visa's Vice President and Country Manager for UAE, Salima Gutieva, expressed pride in partnering with the Ministry of Interior, acknowledging the sophistication of scams and the importance of empowering people with knowledge as a defense against fraud.
The 360-degree campaign will utilize social media and out of home (OOH) channels, creatively involving children humorously reminding their parents about online safety. By reversing the traditional parent-child dynamic, the campaign emphasizes that online safety is ageless. The partners have tailored the approach by nationality, with educational content addressing the top fraud type relevant to each audience group.
The campaign builds on insights from Visa's ninth annual Stay Secure study, which indicates UAE consumers are becoming more proactive in securing their digital transactions, yet a significant number remain vulnerable to fraud. It is also part of a broader effort by the UAE Ministry of Interior, Visa, and all police headquarters across the UAE to engage schools and blue-collar workers, providing in-person education sessions to further public awareness of fraud prevention.
As the digital payments landscape evolves, so do the risks. Global Visa data shows that in the past year, the company blocked $40 billion in fraudulent payment value and prevented 80 million fraudulent transactions, reflecting its ongoing investment in AI-powered fraud prevention and consumer protection.