Emirates warns about phishing scams

Emirates Airlines has issued a warning over phishing attacks using its name, which are targeting passengers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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According to the airline, the phishing emails are headlined, “Your flight is cancelled: collect your refund”, which, if opened, will likely seek to collect sensitive information  or install malicious software onto their electronic device. The airline has warned people to not respond to or click on links if they receive such emails and has advised that official Emirates emails can be distinguished by either two email addresses - emirates@e.emirates.email or do-not-reply@emirates.email.

This is not the first such incident to affect the aviation industry where criminals have attempted to exploit the coronavirus pandemic - particularly in the UAE.

On 24 May, the Consulate General of India in Dubai issued a Public Notice, stating that “certain people and travel agencies in UAE” have been contacting Indian nationals to facilitate repatriation flights via charter operations to India, and requesting that they pay in advance for the airfare and quarantine charges. However, the Consulate has warned that no such flights had yet been arranged by the Indian government and any notice of chartered repatriation flights will be arranged through the Consulate in Dubai.

Similarly, the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai announced on 26 May that it had received complaints from Pakistani nationals who have received telephone calls and messages online from individuals claiming to the be from the Consulate or travel agencies, requesting payment for repatriation flights. Reportedly, some individuals had arrived at airports in the UAE for repatriation flights unaware they had purchased a fraudulent ticket. The Consulate General has stated that the Consulate will contact individuals regarding repatriations flights; however, tickets can only be purchased in person at Pakistan International Airlines counters – no payments are being made online.