Abu Dhabi Police warns Remote Access Apps Increasingly Exploited in Financial Scams

Authorities are warning consumers about a rising fraud trend involving the misuse of remote access applications, as scammers adopt more direct methods to bypass traditional security controls. In a recent alert, Abu Dhabi Police highlighted that tools commonly used for technical support and screen sharing are being repurposed to facilitate financial theft.

According to the advisory, fraudsters typically impersonate bank staff, service providers or technical support agents, contacting victims under the pretext of resolving account or device issues. Individuals are then instructed to download remote access software, granting scammers full visibility and control over their devices.

Once access is established, attackers can monitor activity in real time, capture login credentials and one-time passwords, and carry out unauthorised transactions. This effectively allows them to bypass key safeguards, including multi-factor authentication, by operating within the victim’s own session.

Authorities stress that this method represents a shift away from traditional phishing tactics toward more interactive and deceptive approaches. By relying on social engineering rather than system vulnerabilities, these scams are harder to detect and can lead to rapid financial losses.

Consumers are strongly advised not to download software or grant device access following unsolicited calls or messages. Regulators emphasise that legitimate financial institutions will never request remote access to customer devices or ask for sensitive information such as passwords, PINs or verification codes.

To mitigate risks, individuals should only install applications from trusted sources, regularly update their devices, and use security software. Any suspicious contact or attempted fraud should be reported promptly to relevant authorities.

As digital financial activity continues to expand, regulators are reinforcing the importance of user vigilance as a critical layer of defence against increasingly sophisticated scam techniques.