Dubai, UAE: Experts have warned of a growing wave of fraudulent calls targeting children’s tablets, with scammers attempting to obtain sensitive personal and banking information belonging to families.The calls are typically made through internet-based communication applications that allow users to connect via email addresses, usernames or phone numbers, meaning devices without SIM cards can still receive calls.Fraudsters targeting childrenSpecialists said scammers often make random calls but may exploit situations where children answer, using deception to extract personal or financial data.Fraudsters have been reported impersonating officials such as police officers, government employees, or representatives of banks and companies. They may use urgent or intimidating language to persuade children to share information such as bank card numbers, verification codes or family details.Misconceptions about device safetyExperts highlighted that many parents believe tablets without SIM cards are safe from unsolicited calls. However, modern communication applications enable calls and messaging as long as the device is connected to the internet.Parent Salem Mohammed Al Naqbi said tablets have become an integral part of children’s daily lives for education, entertainment and gaming, making them vulnerable to such risks.He noted that families often focus on monitoring app content but may overlook the risk of incoming calls from unknown contacts.Cybersecurity concernsBashayer Al-SalamiCybersecurity researcher Bashayer Al-Salami said scammers do not typically hack devices but rely on random calls or existing communication channels within apps.She explained that fraudsters may continue conversations once they realise they are speaking to a child, taking advantage of limited awareness or experience.Al-Salami emphasised that official entities do not request confidential financial information via phone calls or messaging applications.Legal consequencesRashid Al-HafitiLegal expert Rashid Al-Hafiti said impersonating officials and using technology to obtain money or data fraudulently are criminal offences under UAE law.He referenced Federal Law No. (34) of 2021 on combating rumours and cybercrimes, which provides for penalties including imprisonment and fines that may reach up to AED1 million.Al-Hafiti noted that targeting children or exploiting their lack of understanding increases the severity of the offence.Importance of awarenessAisha Al-KindiAisha Al-Kindi, a community awareness trainer, said children are naturally more trusting and may feel compelled to respond to authority figures or urgent requests.She stressed the importance of teaching children a simple rule: any request for personal, financial or family information from unknown contacts should be refused and reported immediately to parents.Advice for parentsAuthorities and experts urged parents to take several precautions, including:Educating children about online risks and scamsMonitoring communication applications and privacy settingsUsing parental control toolsEncouraging children to report suspicious calls or messagesExperts emphasised that awareness and open communication between parents and children are essential in preventing such scams, particularly as digital devices become increasingly embedded in everyday life.
