Typical scam phone call

Below is a transcript based on a recent scam call from a person posing as a representative of one of the UAE’s telecom companies. Fraudster: Hello sir, I am calling from (telecom company) promotional call centre. I have a good news for you. You’ve won a half million dirhams from (the company). Congratulations. Victim: That’s great! Thank you. Fraudster: Allow me to give you your winning number, please note it down. The number is 89971122. This is the number given to you by the company because you have won our promotion. Let me tell you how to verify the number. Victim: So I get a half million dirhams? Fraudster: Yes, let me tell you how. After my call, switch off your mobile and remove the SIM card by hand. Write down the number available on the backside of your SIM card. When we verify this, you’ve won. Victim: But I thought you said you’d already won? Fraudster: No. Once you verify this number, then you’ve won. After you call back, I can give you all the information on where you go and how to win the prize. After my call, switch off the mobile phone and remove the SIM card, look at the number. That’s how we can confirm. Call me back on this same number and afterwards I can give you all the information. KT Note: Once the victim calls back — regardless of whether the number matches or not — they are told that they have won anyway, and are asked to provide further details, including Emirates ID and, if the conversation goes far enough, bank details. In some cases, the victim is asked to transfer money to an account as a “security deposit”.