Telecommunications & Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Cyber Security Council, and Meta launch the “Scambusters” Education campaign to help combat online scams in the UAE

• The campaign educates UAE users on how to identify scams and report them online. The ads are directed to “Sago”, an AI-powered chatbot developed by Mythos Labs that allows users to forward suspicious messages or share screenshots with the chatbot to highlight potential red flags and help them assess whether it might be a scam.
• Joint efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and protect the community from digital threats.

Meta today announced the launch of a new “Scambusters” campaign developed in partnership with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and the Cyber Security Council (CSC). The campaign educates internet users on the different kinds of online scams that are seen in the UAE, tips on how to identify them and tools available by Meta to report and block them.

Users who engage with these ads will be directed to a WhatsApp chat with ‘Sago’, an AI-powered chatbot that provides guidance on staying safe online. Created and operated by Mythos Labs since 2024, Sago allows users to forward suspicious messages or share screenshots, highlighting potential red flags and helping assess whether a message might be a scam.

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government affirmed that “Cybercrime, in all its forms, is no longer a secondary or limited threat; it has evolved into an escalating challenge that endangers the digital security of individuals, private sectors, and government institutions alike.” He added: "With the rapid expansion of reliance on technology and digital transformation, incidents of cyber fraud, Scams and other threats are on the rise, particularly as cyberspace becomes increasingly integrated into critical infrastructure such as energy, telecommunications, and financial services. This reality positions the fight against such threats as a matter of national security and a pressing security and developmental challenge. Addressing it requires coordinated responses and strategic investments in cybersecurity to enhance protection and build resilience at both national and regional levels".

His Excellency Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority stated: “Addressing the growing challenges in the digital space requires a collaborative approach built on effective public-private partnerships. This is embodied in our cooperation with Meta and the Cyber Security Council, which reflects our commitment to protecting members of society, raising user awareness, educating them on various forms of online fraud, and equipping them with the tools to prevent, report, and effectively deal with such threats.”

He added: “At TDRA, we view these initiatives as part of our national responsibility to build a safe and trustworthy digital environment, one that strengthens the confidence of individuals and institutions in using technology, while supporting the UAE’s efforts to accelerate sustainable digital transformation.”

Basma Ammari, MENA Director of Public Policy at Meta, said: "This campaign represents one of Meta’s proactive efforts to protect our users, by equipping them with the education and resources necessary to stay safe online. We recognize the critical role that collaboration with stakeholders like CSC and TDRA plays in its success. Their expertise and influence have been invaluable in co-developing and co-branding this initiative, helping us strengthen its impact and reach.”

This innovative initiative is part of Meta, CSC, and TDRA’s larger efforts to educate the UAE public through a "Scambusters” educational campaign which will run for the next two months. 

Despite progress in combating online fraud, addressing organized criminal activity continues to require comprehensive cooperation between government entities, the private sector, and various institutions to ensure an effective and holistic response. Meta affirmed that it will continue investing in a robust array of new anti‑scam tools and safeguards tailored to protect users in the UAE and beyond. 

Recent enhancements include new in‑app messaging context tools across WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram that caution users when interacting with unknown contacts or when encountering potentially suspicious activity. In 2025 alone, WhatsApp has rolled out safety features such as group invitation context cards and alerting mechanisms when users are added to groups by people not in their contacts. Meta also continues to deploy facial‑recognition‑based solutions, such as “celeb‑bait” ad detection and optional video‑selfie verification for account recovery, across its apps. These layered tools are part of a continuous effort to stay ahead of evolving scam tactics, while empowering users with greater awareness and control.

Meta’s comprehensive approach to addressing scams encompasses robust policies, advanced detection and enforcement mechanisms, user-friendly tools, and strategic education partnerships. The launch of these regional campaigns reinforces Meta’s dedication to fostering a safer online environment for everyone.

For more information on Meta’s safety features and tips, please visit www.meta.com/safety/topics/safety-basics/tools/