The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) alerts the financial services community and the public to a scam involving the impersonation of both the DFSA and a DFSA Authorised Firm.

The scammers have created a fraudulent website using the name and logo of the Authorised Firm without its permission. 

Additionally, the scammers have used a false letter titled “Approval of Release of Funds from the Tax Authority”. This letter falsely states that funds have been “released” and transferred “to the DFSA account at the Central Bank of the UAE”, after which they will be transferred to a named beneficiary. The letter also fraudulently:

• uses the logos of the DFSA and the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority (DIFCA) without permission or authority;
• claims to be certified and endorsed by the DFSA’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), who has been impersonated;
• includes a stamp and signature falsely attributed to the DFSA’s Chairman. The signature on the document does not belong to the DFSA’s Chairman and the DFSA does not use the seal shown on the false letter; and
• claims that the DFSA received funds in its account with the Central Bank. The DFSA does not have such an account and does not receive funds of or from members of the public.

The DFSA strongly advises you not to visit the website or respond to any communications regarding the above scam, and under no circumstances should you send or give any money to any party connected to the scam.

The DFSA has a page on its website dedicated to alerts, which it has issued about scams. All alerts issued by the DFSA may be accessed by going to Alerts

The DFSA has also issued warnings and guidance about the common types of scams perpetrated on consumers.  For more information on these scams please go to How to avoid being scammed

The DFSA encourages consumers to refer to the list of regulated Firms and Authorised Individuals licensed by the DFSA that is available on the DFSA's Public Register

If you have any concerns about the authenticity of any correspondence or documents that purport to be issued by the DIFC Authority, DFSA or a DFSA regulated Firm, you should direct your concerns to the DIFC Authority on Tel: +971 4 362 2222 and to the DFSA via the DFSA Complaints function at Complaints​​​​​