The UAE Government’s Cybersecurity Council has warned that artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping cybercrime, with more than 90 per cent of digital breaches now supported by AI-powered phishing and fraud techniques. The rapid evolution of these technologies has enabled cybercriminals to carry out complex operations within seconds, significantly increasing the scale and sophistication of online fraud.
The Council explained that AI has made fraudulent activities far more difficult to detect by making scams appear highly authentic. Criminals are now able to manipulate voices, alter logos to resemble official brands, and refine language and design to near perfection. Fraudulent messages are often framed as urgent security requests, while malicious links are made to appear legitimate, contributing to a sharp rise in technology-driven cybercrime.
According to the Council, AI-supported phishing alone accounts for more than 90 per cent of digital intrusions. Scammers are increasingly producing messages that appear entirely trustworthy, using advanced tools to eliminate the traditional warning signs of fraud. As a result, many scam attempts are now almost free of obvious flaws that users and systems previously relied on to detect malicious activity.
The Council urged individuals to remain cautious at all times before clicking on any links and to verify the source of advertisements or messages requesting personal or financial information. It also highlighted the growing difficulty in distinguishing between real and fake content as AI becomes more widespread, placing users under increasing pressure to adopt stronger defensive measures.
To counter these threats, the Council called for the wider adoption of protective technologies that enhance detection accuracy, reduce false alerts, strengthen payment integrity, and improve the prioritisation of high-risk investigations. It stressed that despite challenges related to budgets and resources, AI-based security solutions are essential to improving response speed and overall cyber resilience.
At the individual level, the Council emphasised that effective protection begins with awareness. Users should recognise that products advertised on social media may appear unrealistically perfect due to AI-generated images and that fraudsters are exploiting such tools to mislead the public on an unprecedented scale. Continuous vigilance is therefore critical.
The Council issued several practical recommendations to avoid AI-enabled fraud, including refraining from clicking on suspicious links, checking messages carefully for spelling and language errors, verifying information through official channels, enabling two-factor authentication — which can block more than 90 per cent of fraud attempts — and using up-to-date security software.
It concluded that digital safety has become a central challenge in today’s online environment, and that these preventive measures, alongside government efforts, are vital to addressing the risks posed by rapid digital and AI-driven developments.
Free Streaming Sites a Gateway to Malware
In a related warning, the Cybersecurity Council highlighted the risks associated with free streaming and download platforms, cautioning that they may expose users to malware and data theft. The Council advised the public to rely on trusted, official platforms for watching films and listening to music to protect their devices and personal information.
It noted that scammers increasingly design convincing messages and websites using advanced techniques, making it essential for users to exercise constant caution before using any site or application for downloads. Users were urged to verify the credibility of websites and links and to ensure that their devices are protected with specialised security software.
The Council warned that “free” does not necessarily mean safe. Some platforms may offer content at no cost while exploiting users’ personal data or selling it to third parties, creating serious privacy and security risks.
Global figures underscore the scale of the problem. By the end of 2024, piracy websites recorded 216 billion visits worldwide. More than 90 per cent of music files are shared through illegal networks, while 70 per cent of users are unaware that free streaming sites can serve as gateways to malware. Around one million computers have reportedly been compromised after visiting illegal streaming platforms.
To reduce exposure to cyber threats, the Council advised users to avoid untrusted links, verify information in messages and sponsored advertisements, rely on official platforms, and activate security programmes to block malware and viruses.
The Council reaffirmed that combating cyber risks begins with the individual through stronger cyber awareness, stressing that careless browsing and downloading from untrusted sources can lead to data breaches, privacy violations, ransomware attacks, and full-scale fraud — making constant vigilance essential in the digital age.
