Dubai Surgeon Falls Victim to Credit Card Fraud While Performing Surgery

General

Dubai Surgeon Falls Victim to Credit Card Fraud While Performing Surgery

A Dubai-based surgeon was left shocked after discovering that her credit card had been used for unauthorized transactions totaling over Dh120,000 while she was performing surgery. The incident highlights growing concerns about financial fraud in the UAE, with cybersecurity experts warning of an increase in such cases.

Credit Card Fraud While Operating

Dr. Anita Singh (name changed for privacy), a premier customer of an international bank, reported that her credit card was always in her possession and had never been digitized on any mobile payment service. However, within seven hours, her card was used for 14 fraudulent transactions, including purchases at major electronics retailers in Dubai Mall and stores in Sharjah.

“I was in the middle of a surgery when these transactions took place,” Dr. Singh explained. Shockingly, four transactions were made even after her credit limit was completely exhausted, and two payments were processed in Kuwaiti Dinars (KWD). None of these transactions required one-time password (OTP) verification.

Bank's Delayed Response Raises Concerns

Despite identifying a fraudulent transaction early on, Dr. Singh's bank failed to block the card or contact her. "They flagged the second transaction as suspicious but did nothing to prevent further unauthorized payments," she said.

When she reported the fraud and requested an immediate block, she was informed that payments were still pending. However, these transactions were later posted to her account even after she had alerted the bank.

Dr. Singh also alleged that the bank was uncooperative, refusing to provide details of the transactions or allow her to speak with senior officials. It was only after she took to social media that the bank reached out to her.

Apple Pay and Security Concerns

The bank later informed Dr. Singh that the payments had been processed through Apple Pay, even though she had never registered for the service. Apple confirmed that her card was never linked to their platform, raising serious concerns about how the transactions were approved.

"The bank claims that Apple Pay is secure, yet they flagged the transactions as fraudulent. If they suspected fraud, why did they continue processing payments instead of blocking my card?" she questioned.

Legal and Cybersecurity Implications

Dr. Singh has since filed a police complaint, but instead of offering a refund, the bank suggested a 12-month installment plan for her to repay the fraudulent charges—a proposal she firmly rejected.

“I did not authorize these transactions, so I should not have to pay for them,” she asserted.

Growing Cases of Banking Fraud in the UAE

Dr. Singh’s case is not an isolated incident. Other UAE residents have reported similar issues, where credit cards were hacked or unauthorized transactions were made without OTP verification.

Ajoy Joseph, an Indian expat, discovered that three credit cards had been fraudulently issued in his name using a forged Emirates ID, with each card maxed out at Dh30,000.
Ayesha Naseem found her credit card was used in Qatar, despite never having left the UAE.
Dubai housewife Sarika Thadani was charged for transactions even after blocking her card.
Abdul Kader, a driver, had his bank account emptied without any OTP verification.

Cybersecurity experts warn that fraud cases are on the rise in the UAE, with financial institutions and public sector entities facing an average of 50,000 threats daily.

“Banks in the UAE have a duty of care to protect their customers,” said Hossam Zakaria, a legal consultant at Dubai-based HZ Legal. He advises victims of financial fraud to seek legal counsel to understand their rights and explore compensation options.

How to Protect Yourself from Credit Card Fraud

To avoid falling victim to financial fraud, experts recommend:

Monitor transactions regularly – Report suspicious activities immediately.
Enable transaction alerts – Receive SMS or email notifications for every transaction.
Use virtual credit cards – Some banks offer temporary cards for online shopping.
Be cautious with digital wallets – Ensure your card is registered only on secure devices.
Limit card exposure – Avoid sharing card details or saving them on multiple platforms.
Contact your bank immediately – If you suspect fraud, demand an immediate freeze on your account.