Dubai Police have issued an important public safety warning, urging residents to hire domestic workers, maids, cleaners, and temporary household staff only through licensed and government-approved agencies. The warning comes after several fraud and recruitment scam cases were reported across the UAE.
According to Dubai Police, many residents unknowingly hire workers through social media advertisements, WhatsApp groups, or unofficial recruitment agents. While these offers may appear cheaper, authorities say they can expose families to security risks, fraud, theft, and legal complications.
As part of the awareness campaign, Dubai Police advised residents to:
- Verify the identity of any domestic worker before allowing them into their homes.
- Hire only through licensed and accredited recruitment agencies.
- Keep cash, jewelry, passports, and important documents in secure locations.
- Avoid leaving children or elderly family members alone with unknown workers.
- Immediately report suspicious behavior to authorities.
The warning follows a number of recruitment scams in which fraudsters posed as legitimate agencies online. Victims were asked to pay deposits or recruitment fees for maids and domestic workers that never arrived. In one reported case, a Dubai resident lost Dh10,000 after dealing with a fake recruitment agency promoted on social media.
Dubai Police emphasized that home security is a shared responsibility between authorities and residents. Officials said that even though Dubai remains one of the safest cities in the world, residents should remain cautious when inviting unknown individuals into their homes.
The UAE government has also increased enforcement against illegal recruitment businesses. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced the closure of multiple unlicensed domestic worker recruitment offices and recorded hundreds of violations among agencies operating in the sector.
Dubai Police are encouraging residents to report suspicious activity through the Dubai Police app or by calling 901 for non-emergency concerns. Officials say vigilance, proper verification, and using licensed agencies remain the best ways to protect homes and families.
Why this matters: Thousands of families in Dubai rely on domestic workers every year. Authorities want residents to avoid scams and ensure that both employers and workers are protected under UAE law.