Attention KT readers: Several deceitful websites are impersonating Khaleej Times, even replicating the news platform's design and branding, to disseminate misleading content. Recently, numerous social media posts have emerged, featuring KT's logo and provocative headlines, enticing unsuspecting users to click and interact. These posts, commonly found on Facebook, direct users to sites that closely resemble Khaleej Times. Early examples included fabricated articles about Dubai-based influencer 'Mo Vlogs' in July, with clickbait titles like 'he didn't know the microphone was on' or 'he regretted revealing the truth'. More recently, similar false narratives were linked to a well-known Emirati businessman. These articles appear on sites that closely mimic Khaleej Times' design but are entirely fake. The genuine news outlet did not publish these stories. Careful readers will observe that these articles eventually redirect to a trading website, aiming to deceive users into divulging their financial information. A closer examination of these fake sites' URLs reveals addresses that differ significantly from the official Khaleej Times platform. KT publishes news exclusively on www.khaleejtimes.com and shares its stories on the following social media accounts: https://www.facebook.com/khaleejtimes, https://x.com/khaleejtimes, https://www.instagram.com/khaleejtimes. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and refrain from entering personal or banking details on fraudulent sites. The UAE maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on cybercrimes, and the dissemination of fake news is a serious offense punishable by substantial fines. Online scams, which lure individuals into clicking on malicious links and capturing sensitive information, are increasing. Residents are advised to scrutinize a website's URL and verify the source of a social media post before clicking or sharing.
Text: Lara Palmer
20.08.2024
Deceptive sites mimic Khaleej Times' design to spread fake news and scam users