Dubai Police Alert on Ticket Fraud

Dubai Police Warns of Fake Global Village Ticket Sales Websites

Dubai is once again preparing for a popular event season as the 30th edition of the Global Village approaches, opening its doors on October 15. This attraction, beloved by both tourists and locals, offers special VIP entry packages that are in high demand every year. However, this demand also attracts the attention of fraudsters. Dubai Police has now issued an official warning about fraudulent websites and misleading social media ads promising Global Village VIP tickets at "discounted rates."

Fraud Mechanism: Official-Looking Sites and False Promises

According to the warning, scammers are creating professionally built websites that closely mimic official ones. These often use logos, colors, and layouts almost identical to the originals. Their goal is to persuade visitors to provide their credit card details or transfer a large sum for a "VIP ticket package" they will never receive. Such scams become particularly intense before the season begins, when interest in official tickets increases dramatically.

Official Sales Channels

The Global Village has confirmed that the sale of VIP packages for the new season occurs exclusively through three official channels:

The Global Village official website

The Global Village mobile application

The official Coca-Cola Arena website (for VIP packages only)

This season's VIP packages are available for pre-booking from September 20 and for public sale from September 27. Prices range from 1,800 to 7,550 dirhams, and one purchaser could win a prize voucher worth 30,000 dirhams.

Prevalence and Variations of Fraud

The warning is not limited to scams related to the Global Village. In recent months, numerous other cases have surfaced in Dubai, where fake websites or social media ads have attempted to extort money or personal information from residents. Examples include:

Sites claiming discounts on utility bills

Announcements of forgone fines or penalty reductions on non-existent "official portals"

Non-official ticket sales for sports events or concerts, where tickets never arrived, but the money vanished

According to the police, these scams often resulted in losses between 1,000 and 1,500 dirhams for victims, though there have been more severe cases.

How to Identify Scams

Although the appearance of fake sites often looks bafflingly similar to the genuine ones, several warning signs can help recognize deception:

The website address slightly differs from the original (e.g., a single letter off, .net instead of .com)

The payment page is not SSL certified (does not begin with https://)

Suspiciously low prices that seem too good to be true

Urgent messages, time-limited "exclusive offers" that pressurize visitors

Recommendations from Dubai Police

Authorities urge residents and visitors to be vigilant about suspicious links and refrain from sharing personal or banking information through unverified means. Suspected fraud can be reported on the e-Crime platform or assistance can be sought via the 901 phone number. The e-Crime service offers a quick, digital way to report online abuses, be they related to fake websites, phishing attacks, or social media scams.

Why is the Global Village a Target Year After Year?

The answer is simple: the Global Village is one of the region's most popular tourist and entertainment attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year. VIP packages are especially sought-after as they provide exclusive parking, fast entry, and other premium services. People tend to make quick decisions, especially if they believe an offer is available for a limited time. Scammers exploit exactly this.

How to Protect Yourself?

Always check the website URL before providing any information.

Only use official platforms, especially for high-value purchases.

Do not click on links from unknown numbers or email addresses.

Treat social media ads with caution if they don’t lead to verified platforms.

Summary

The 30th season of the Global Village promises many experiences, but increased interest also brings dangers. The warning from the Dubai Police is no accident: scammers find new ways each year to exploit unsuspecting buyers. It is crucial for everyone to be conscious and cautious when purchasing tickets and to always acquire them from official sources. If anything suspicious is encountered, report it without hesitation—this can protect others from financial losses and data theft. Dubai is a safe city, but in the online space, it remains so only if we are vigilant.

(Source: Dubai Police statement.)