Social Media & Impersonation Scams:
When Someone Pretends to Be Someone You Trust

Social media has made it easier to stay connected, but it has also given fraudsters new ways to reach people. One of the most common methods today is impersonation. Scammers create fake profiles or take over real accounts and pretend to be someone you trust.

These messages often look familiar and convincing. They may come from a “friend”, a “company page”, or even a “customer support account”. The goal is simple: to gain your trust and then ask for money, information, or access.

How Impersonation Scams Work

Impersonation scams rely on copying real identities and real communication styles. Fraudsters may:

• Create fake profiles using stolen photos and names
• Hack or take over real social media accounts
• Copy the writing style and tone used by companies or individuals
• Send direct messages asking for help, payment, or verification

Because the profile looks real, many people respond without verifying first.

Common Impersonation Scenarios in the UAE

• Fake Friend or Family Accounts
  You receive a message from a profile that looks like someone you know, asking for urgent help or money.
• Impersonation of Companies or Customer Support
  Fake pages or accounts claim to be official and ask you to “confirm” details or resolve an issue.
• Copied Profiles
  Scammers duplicate a real profile and send requests to the person’s contacts to build trust.
• Links Sent Through Messages
  You are asked to click a link to verify, claim something, or fix a problem. The link leads to a fake page.

How to Protect Yourself (Updated Section)

• Verify the account
  Check the profile carefully. Follow and interact only with Al Ansari Exchange official social media accounts and verified pages.
• Be cautious with unexpected messages
  Even if the message appears to come from someone you know or a company, confirm through another channel.
• Do not click suspicious links
  Access websites by typing the official address yourself.
• Limit what you share publicly
  Public information can be used to make fake profiles look more convincing.
• Report and block fake accounts
  This helps protect you and others.

Al Ansari Exchange will never ask for your OTP, PIN, or passwords through social media messages or direct chats. Always rely on Al Ansari Exchange official social media accounts for updates and communication.

Final Reminder

If a message feels unusual, do not rush to respond. Take a moment, verify the source, and use official channels.

Stay Alert. Stay Secure.