Dubai : The Consulate General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates has issued a warning to Indian nationals in the UAE about fraudulent agents allegedly collecting biometric and personal information by falsely promising assistance with visa and other official services.
The advisory, particularly aimed at vulnerable groups including blue-collar workers, follows reports of individuals being approached by unauthorised agents claiming they can help with visa regularisation, Emergency Certificates, Exit Permits, Emirates IDs and employment opportunities.
According to the Consulate, the scammers may ask victims to provide passports, Emirates IDs and sensitive biometric information such as fingerprints, facial scans and eye scans. Such information can allegedly be misused for financial fraud and identity theft.
Fraudsters allegedly misuse biometric data
The Consulate has warned that the fraudulent process can go beyond simply obtaining personal documents.
According to its advisory, scammers may use collected biometric information to conduct financial transactions, open bank accounts or obtain loans and credit cards in the names of victims without their knowledge or consent.
Victims could subsequently find themselves facing financial liabilities for transactions they never authorised. The Consulate said such misuse could result in fines, travel bans and, in some cases, even imprisonment for affected individuals.
The warning has therefore urged Indian expatriates to treat requests for biometric information with particular caution.
Fake promises of visa and employment assistance
The alleged fraudsters reportedly approach Indian nationals by offering assistance with several services that expatriates may need while living or working in the UAE.
These include visa regularisation, Emergency Certificates or White Passports, Exit Permits or Outpasses, Emirates IDs and employment opportunities.
Such offers can be particularly attractive to people facing difficulties with immigration documentation or searching for work. The Consulate has consequently urged nationals to verify the identity and credentials of anyone claiming to provide official assistance.
Biometric scans should be done only at official centres
The Consulate has made clear that biometric information required for services such as Exit Permits, Emirates IDs or visa regularisation should be provided only at official UAE Government facilities or counters.
Indian nationals have been advised not to provide fingerprint, face or eye scans to private individuals, agents or third-party service providers who claim to be authorised by UAE authorities.
This distinction is important because legitimate government procedures may require biometric verification, but that does not mean applicants should hand over such information to an intermediary.
Indian missions do not ask for biometric scans
The Consulate has also issued a specific clarification regarding passport and Emergency Certificate applications.
According to the advisory, the Consulate General of India in Dubai and the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi do not require fingerprint or face/eye scans from applicants for the issuance of passports or Emergency Certificates.
The advisory states that anyone demanding such biometric information while claiming to represent the Indian Embassy or Consulate should be treated as fraudulent.
Indian nationals have therefore been urged not to comply with such demands.
Blue-collar workers among those targeted
The Consulate has particularly highlighted the vulnerability of blue-collar workers, saying a number of Indian nationals in the UAE have reportedly fallen prey to such scams.
Workers who may face difficulties with documentation, employment or their immigration status can be especially vulnerable to people promising quick solutions.
The advisory is intended to ensure that such individuals do not unknowingly surrender information that could later be exploited.
What Indian nationals should do
Indian nationals in the UAE have been advised to follow several precautions:
- Do not share passports, Emirates IDs or biometric information with unauthorised individuals.
- Never provide fingerprint, facial or eye scans to private agents claiming to represent government authorities.
- Complete required biometric procedures only at official UAE government facilities.
- Verify the credentials of any person or agency offering immigration, employment or documentation services.
- Report suspicious requests to the Indian Consulate or the relevant UAE authorities.
These precautions are particularly important because biometric information cannot simply be changed in the same way as a password if it is compromised.
Consulate provides assistance channels
Indian nationals who are approached by an unauthorised person demanding biometric information or an Emirates ID can seek verification and assistance through the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayta Kendra.
The Consulate’s advisory lists the toll-free number 80046342, along with WhatsApp/SMS contact 00971543090571 and the email address [email protected] for assistance and verification.
The Indian mission has also urged nationals residing in or visiting the UAE to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activity.
Warning highlights growing identity fraud risks
The advisory highlights how traditional scams involving visas and employment can increasingly be combined with sophisticated identity and financial fraud.
Biometric information such as fingerprints and facial scans is highly sensitive because it can be used to establish a person’s identity. The alleged misuse of such information to open financial accounts or obtain credit could expose victims to significant legal and financial complications.
For Indian expatriates, particularly those seeking urgent assistance with immigration or employment matters, the Consulate’s warning serves as an important reminder to use official channels.
As authorities work to address fraudulent practices, Indian nationals in the UAE are being urged to remember one basic precaution: never surrender sensitive biometric information to an unauthorised person, regardless of the service they promise to provide.