Avoid Travel Scams2026–2027 Guide
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Destination · Middle East

Travel Scams in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has low street crime and its licensed taxis are tightly regulated, so classic tourist grift is uncommon. The documented problems are unlicensed private-car 'taxis' soliciting rides, online fraud such as fake holiday-rental listings, and impersonation calls posing as government or banks — all repeatedly flagged by Abu Dhabi Police.

1. Illegal private-car 'taxi' lifts

Drivers of ordinary private cars tout for passengers around malls, bus stations and airport areas, offering a cheap 'car lift.' There is no meter, the fare is renegotiated or inflated en route, and the vehicle has no commercial insurance or licensed driver. Abu Dhabi Police have run campaigns against the practice, warning of theft, fraud and assault risks, and operators face a Dh3,000 fine, 24 black points and 30-day vehicle impoundment.

Warning signs

  • Driver approaches you offering a ride instead of waiting at a rank
  • Regular private car with no taxi livery, meter or roof sign
  • Cash-only, price agreed verbally
  • Fare changes once the trip starts

How to avoid it

  • Use silver/grey metered Abu Dhabi taxis or the Abu Dhabi Taxi app
  • Book Careem or Uber, both officially recognized in the emirate
  • Never accept a ride from someone who solicits you at the curb
  • At the airport, follow signs to the official taxi queue only
Sources

2. Fake chalet and holiday-home rental listings

Scammers post attractive chalet, farmhouse or holiday-apartment offers on social media and messaging apps, often below market price. Victims are pushed to pay a deposit by bank transfer to 'hold' the booking; the listing and contact then disappear. Abu Dhabi Police have publicly warned of a surge in these schemes targeting holidaymakers, and Khaleej Times reported a victim who lost Dh8,000 to a fake chalet rental.

Warning signs

  • Deal advertised only via social media or WhatsApp
  • Price clearly below comparable listings
  • Pressure to pay a deposit by direct transfer before viewing
  • No verifiable company name, license or physical office

How to avoid it

  • Book through established, licensed platforms or hotel operators
  • Verify the listing and operator independently before paying
  • Pay by credit card or platform escrow, never a personal bank transfer
  • Report suspicious listings to Abu Dhabi Police via their official app
Sources

3. Impersonation calls and phishing links

Callers or WhatsApp/SMS senders pose as police, ministries, banks or delivery companies, claiming you won a prize, owe a fine, or must 'verify' your account. They ask for Emirates ID numbers, card details or one-time passcodes, or direct you to counterfeit government websites. Abu Dhabi Police and the UAE Cybersecurity Council have warned these are gateways to draining bank accounts, and the Interior Ministry has publicly disowned specific scam numbers.

Warning signs

  • Unsolicited call claiming to be from a ministry, police or bank
  • Requests for OTP codes, ID numbers or card details
  • Links to e-services sent by SMS or WhatsApp
  • Urgency: fines, arrest or account closure threats

How to avoid it

  • Hang up — UAE authorities state they never request banking details by phone or unknown links
  • Verify any claim through the entity's official app or published number
  • Never share one-time passcodes with anyone
  • Report attempts to police through official channels
Sources

4. Bogus travel agencies and tour-package sellers

Unlicensed 'travel firms' sell discounted tour packages, visas or holiday memberships, collect payment, then shut down and reopen under a new name. Khaleej Times documented an Abu Dhabi operator, Make My Tour, whose clients lost thousands of dirhams each before the office closed; the same staff resurfaced under a different brand. ZAWYA has reported a separate case in which hundreds of UAE victims lost about a million dirhams to a travel-firm scam.

Warning signs

  • Prices far below airline or hotel published rates
  • Sales handled only through WhatsApp or social media
  • No Department of Economic Development trade license on display
  • Pressure for full cash or transfer payment upfront

How to avoid it

  • Check the agency's trade license with the economic department before paying
  • Pay by credit card so charges can be disputed
  • Be skeptical of unsolicited 'limited offer' travel deals
  • Book tours through your hotel or well-known licensed operators
Sources

Practical safety briefing

  • Airport arrival: At Zayed International Airport, use the signed official taxi queue of silver/grey metered cabs or pre-book Careem, Uber or the Abu Dhabi Taxi app. The known trap is individuals inside or outside arrivals offering 'private car' rides — these unlicensed lifts are actively prosecuted by Abu Dhabi Police.
  • Trusted transport: Metered Abu Dhabi taxis (silver/grey), the Abu Dhabi Taxi app, Careem and Uber are the recognized options per the UK FCDO; public buses run on the rechargeable Hafilat card.
  • Money & payments: Cards are accepted almost everywhere; use ATMs attached to banks and licensed exchange houses in malls rather than informal changers. Note that the UAE treats financial disputes such as unpaid bills as potential criminal matters, so keep payment receipts.

Official travel advisories

  • US State Dept — Advises reconsidering travel mainly for regional security reasons and notes the UAE's strict rules on social behavior and financial crimes, which can lead to arrest or exit bans.
  • UK FCDO — Directs travelers to use only licensed taxis or recognized apps (Careem, Uber, Abu Dhabi Taxi) and notes property scams and low general crime.

Compiled from documented reports and government advisories. How we verify scams. Last verified July 2026.