A three-month investigation by Khaleej Times has uncovered the intricate operations of international cybercrime syndicates that were recently dismantled by UAE authorities, leading to the arrest of hundreds of individuals. These syndicates operated with specialized teams for various scams, recruiting hundreds of tech-savvy individuals from South Asia via social media job postings.
The job ads found by Khaleej Times specified a minimum typing speed of 25 words per minute and required candidates to have their own visa. Salaries advertised ranged from Dh2,500 to Dh3,000, with additional incentives of Dh500 for meeting key performance indicators, commissions, and other benefits. The job offers also included meals and accommodation.
Upon arrival in the UAE, recruits were trained and assigned to one of four main categories based on their skills:
1. Receptionists: These beginners managed task-based scams, sending messages from foreign WhatsApp numbers pretending to be company representatives, offering opportunities to earn daily income from home. They also handled parcel and package delivery scams, known as 'smishing', targeting customers with texts impersonating trusted organizations like Emirates Post.
2. Developers: These individuals lured people into joining WhatsApp groups or Telegram channels with promises of online trading tips, tricking them into installing specific trading applications and following fraudulent recommendations. Fake profits were displayed in digital wallets, and victims were misled into believing they needed to reach a certain amount before withdrawing.
3. Teachers: They managed romance scams using social media, dating apps, WhatsApp, and text messages to build trust with victims, eventually coaxing them into investing in cryptocurrency trading based on insider tips. They directed victims to download an app or visit a website controlled by the scammers.
4. Killers: At the top of the hierarchy, these individuals contacted people, accused them of illegal activities, and posed as police officers in video calls to enforce fake 'digital arrests'. They demanded money to close the cases, often using threats to ensure compliance.
An Asian woman who previously worked at a cyber compound described living in cramped accommodation with seven other girls and facing strict rules and fines for various infractions. She detailed her life in a 12-story building, where her passport was confiscated, and her phone was kept by her employers from 7.30am to 8.30pm. She impersonated a representative from a Mumbai-based company dealing in cryptocurrency.
Khaleej Times interviewed four victims in East Asia, each confessing to losing between Dh5,000 and Dh50,000. The woman described her 13-hour shifts, making between 700-800 calls daily, which took a significant emotional toll. She refused a promotion to 'Developer' when she tried to quit, resulting in her salary being heavily docked.
Another woman recounted the intense pressure and threats from management, including fines for sharing information outside the team. Employees were ordered to maximize the use of customers' personal details, with warnings about neglecting customers or wasting company resources.
Meeting these women was challenging, as they needed an exit pass to leave their building, granted only after meeting a daily quota of 12 clients. Khaleej Times managed to interview some of them late at night, after they had fulfilled their quota. In March, one woman expressed her desire to escape but was concerned for her roommates.
Several cyber compounds were raided in a massive all-night crackdown last Wednesday. Investigations into the roles of those detained are ongoing, and those involved will be referred to the public prosecutor.
