Monday 17 / March / 2025
Muscat: The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has apprehended two individuals of Arab nationality for their involvement in a sophisticated electronic fraud scheme. The General Directorate of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations conducted the arrests following an investigation into a fake website that closely mimicked an official platform. The perpetrators used this deceptive site to lure unsuspecting victims, gaining access to their bank accounts. Once funds were illicitly obtained, they were rapidly transferred through exchange offices and digital currency trading platforms, making tracing the money more difficult. Legal procedures are now underway to prosecute the individuals involved.
The Royal Oman Police strongly advises the public to exercise extreme caution when interacting with websites. It is crucial to verify the authenticity and reliability of any online platform before providing personal or financial information. Furthermore, citizens and residents are urged to refrain from responding to requests to receive or retransfer funds that may originate from illicit activities. The ROP's warning aims to prevent further victimization and protect the public from falling prey to such fraudulent schemes.
Commerce Ministry issues warning
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has also issued a warning to the public, advising against transferring funds to personal accounts when making online purchases. This caution comes in response to a noted increase in online fraud, where individuals are fraudulently utilising registered commercial records from the Oman Business Platform to operate deceptive e-commerce stores, misleading consumers.
To ensure a secure online shopping experience, the Ministry strongly recommends that consumers only purchase goods and services from e-commerce platforms licensed by the Ministry and verified on the Maroof Oman platform. Furthermore, it is essential to verify that the contact details provided by online stores match those listed in their official commercial registration. Critically, consumers are urged to refrain from transferring payments to personal accounts during online transactions. By adhering to these guidelines, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of becoming victims of fraud and incurring financial loss.
