AJMAN: Ajman Police have kicked off a new campaign that mainly aims at stemming the nefarious practice of phone embezzlement by fraudsters.

Major Ahmed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, said that the campaign titled “bogus rewards” seeks to curb the activities of conmen who ring up their victims and allege that they have won a reward. The cheats request their victims to send them money. Many have fallen prey to their misleading claims.

This comes as part of the strategic plan of Ajman Police to ensure public safety and urge people not to be gullible or swayed by the cheats’ demands.

“We have come across various notifications from victims who fell prey to the deceptive claims of the fraudsters. They have found out that they were conned after transferring money to the fraudsters while waiting to receive the reward. According to the testimony of the victims, the fraudsters ring them up and identify themselves as employees of a company.

“They then congratulate the victims that they have won a grand prize that they will receive once they transfer money to the fraudsters. After doing so the victims find out that they have been conned.”

The campaign is being held in cooperation with Etisalat Telecommunications and urges people who receive such calls not to respond. They should not divulge details of bank accounts or transfer money to them. The Public Prosecution will also take part in the campaign by increasing people’s awareness about the hefty penalty such acts invite.