UAE warns against financial transactions via free e-mail accounts

The Abu Dhabi Police have warned the public, individuals and institutions, against making financial transactions via free e-mail accounts. According to Colonel Dr. Rashid Borshid, Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), such types of e-mail are widely used and are therefore vulnerable to being hacked by criminal gangs.
Colonel Dr. Borshid also stressed the necessity for individuals and institutions to commit to the directives and warnings of the police in regards to cybercrimes. He called upon them to report these crimes whenever they sustain any damages due to unsecured usage of modern electronic communications, or if they receive any suspicious calls asking for personal information or financial statements. He also highlighted the capabilities of the police in tracking, preventing, and limiting these crimes.
"Financial transactions conducted via free e-mail accounts are vulnerable to hacking by international criminal gangs, as these e-mails are easy to be penetrated," he said. He also called upon the public to avoid using such e-mail for financial or business transactions in order to help combat these kinds of crime and to limit the dangers of online hackers.
"E-mails are one of the main loopholes for hacking accounts," said Colonel Dr. Borshid. "Suspicious websites that ask for personal details and account numbers should be avoided, as many international gangs are creating various deceptive websites in order to collect e-mails, names, account numbers, and other details that are used to obtain e-mail accounts- especially the free ones that are used for individual and business transactions, which endanger the security of its users as they fall into the traps laid by the cybercriminal gangs." Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Taher Al Dhaheri, Head of Organised Crime in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), emphasised the need to avoid conducting financial and business transactions via free e-mail accounts. He urged the public to adopt alternative and more secure communication systems that are accredited by regional and international companies. He also advised changing passwords periodically and to abstain from responding to any e-mails about winning prizes.
Lieutenant Colonel Al Dhaheri also urged the public to avoid opening or downloading any unknown attachment as it may contain viruses or fake programs. He also advised them to stop purchasing products online, unless the purchase is made via the original website and the security of the website has been verified. "It is also advisable to avoid publishing personal details, photos, or mobile phone numbers whenever possible," he said.