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Four in 10 UAE Consumers Experienced Online Fraud Attempts: Visa-Dubai Police-DED Survey

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While almost four in 10 UAE consumers have experienced online fraud attempts in the past year, trust and usage of digital payments both in-store and online see no signs of ceasing as consumers still prefer them over cash, citing improved technology, and security measures as reasons why they still feel more secure with these methods of payment. These findings were revealed in the 2021 Stay Secure survey launched today by Visa, Dubai Police, and Dubai Economy (DED).

Cash is unlikely to return to its previous high level of use
According to the study, the use of cash in the UAE continues to decline. While eCommerce and contactless payments have increased in popularity and use since the start of the pandemic, paying by Cash on Delivery (COD) has declined significantly (75%), while the use of digital payments (contactless cards + mobile wallets) for payment online or on delivery has almost doubled (by an average of 98%). Consumer feedback reinforces the belief that there is no reversal of this trend, with 40% of consumers saying they are less likely to use COD and 45% are more likely to use contactless payment methods in the future.  

Trust driving consumer preference in contactless and digital payments, but some concerns remain
Nearly two-thirds of consumers (63%) have high level of confidence in digital payments (contactless cards and mobile wallets) for shopping in-store and payment on delivery, an increase since the start of the pandemic. Top reasons consumers gave for their trust in contactless include convenience (60%), speed (59%), control (the card or mobile never leaves consumer’s hand during transaction) (46%), avoiding human touch (56%) and innovative way to pay (48%).

Biometrically-verified payments – such as mobile wallets – also scored high with consumers with more than a third (67%) saying it is secure, and 60% saying it gives them complete control as it never leaves their hand in a transaction and eliminates the hassle of having to remember passwords.

Knowledge of the technology that protects digital payments is a driver of consumer trust. Among consumers who trust digital payments, a majority (52%) said having knowledge of underlying security technologies that protect digital payments, such as tokenization, helps build their confidence in cashless options. Those who do not have adequate levels of knowledge of the technology, still have lagging doubts about the safety of digital payments. For example, 47% fear misuse of lost or stolen contactless cards mostly due to a lack of understanding of how the technology work (27%). These findings reinforce the importance of continual education on safe digital payment practices among consumers to maintain their trust.

Consumers’ experience with fraud
The survey also sheds light on consumers’ experiences with fraud, with 39% of UAE consumers surveyed admitting they have experienced an online fraud attempt. Around a quarter of consumers (27%) have experienced phishing, while just under a fifth have experienced credit card fraud (19%) and receiving counterfeit goods (17%). In the event of fraud, informing the bank (67%) or customer service (58%) and changing their password/PIN (72%) are the most important actions consumers are likely to take. As a testament to the trust consumers have in local law enforcement, half of UAE consumers said they would contact the authorities in the event of fraud.

Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jalaf, Director of Criminal Investigation Department in Dubai Police, said,As people spend more and more time online – including many for the first time, fraudsters are using this as an opportunity to exploit consumers’ fears and lack of knowledge. We strongly believe that government authorities, the private sector and local communities all have an important role to play in raising awareness among UAE residents. Dubai Police is delighted to once again partner with Visa and Dubai Economy on the Stay Secure initiative, which will help strengthen our efforts to reduce online fraud and cybercrime in the UAE and ensure a safe and secure digital economy for everyone.”

Ahmad Al Zaabi, Director of Consumer Protection in Dubai Economy, said, “Shopping in Dubai presents a remarkable opportunity for retail innovations as it involves a vast and varied customer demographics and businesses. At Dubai Economy we focus on making shopping in the city a pleasant experience and we have leveraged every opportunity, including the increase in online shopping in the aftermath of COVID-19, to encourage consumers to enjoy the benefits of cashless and contactless shopping. The partnership with Visa enables us to track consumer behaviour and we are delighted to see confidence in digital payments rising steadily, which in turn will accelerate the ongoing digital transformation in Dubai.”

Neil Fernandes, Visa’s Head of Risk for Middle East and North Africa, commented, “As our survey results indicate, consumers have fully embraced digital payments in the COVID-19 era but that does not come without risks. As consumers shift online, fraudsters have sought opportunities to exploit these changes in how people pay for goods and services. This is why constant consumer education is so much more important than ever before. The fact that 1 in 2 consumers surveyed would contact law enforcement in the event of fraud is a credit to the diligent efforts of our partners Dubai Police and Dubai Economy, who are committed to keeping consumers safe and empowering them to use digital payments and online channels with confidence. However, as an industry we cannot afford to let our guard down. Our ongoing Stay Secure campaign is our effort in bringing together all participants in the payments ecosystem to work together to advance efforts to educate consumers on how to stay vigilant, identify potential fraud, and what actions they should take if they are affected.”

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Home Appliances

Chef Faisal Alharmoodi Joins Ninja to Share His Signature Air Fryer Iftar Recipe

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As families across the UAE gear up for Iftar during Ramadan, the emphasis on preparing healthy and nourishing meals has never been greater. This year, award-winning Emirati Chef Faisal Alharmoodi has joined forces with Ninja to showcase how traditional flavors can be elevated with a modern, health-conscious approach.

Renowned for his restaurants Ryba, Let’s, and Oosh, Chef Faisal has seen growing demand for nutritious Iftar recipes. Together with Ninja, he’s demonstrating how appliances like the Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer 9.5L SL400ME can help families create delicious meals while saving kitchen space and minimizing the use of cooking oil.

Chef Faisal said, “Ramadan is a time for reflection, connection, and of course, delicious food. But it’s also a busy time for families, and finding the time to prepare elaborate meals can be challenging. That’s where Ninja comes in. It makes it incredibly simple to create healthy and flavorful Iftar dishes like this Chicken Machbous, without spending hours in the kitchen. As it has the capacity to cook four foods at once, it’s a game-changer for busy families who want to enjoy traditional flavors and share a nourishing meal with their loved ones during Ramadan.”

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Gadgets

OPPO Intros the Rugged A5 Pro

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OPPO has officially launched the highly anticipated A5 Pro in the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant milestone in its popular A Series lineup. Designed with durability, advanced AI capabilities, and sleek aesthetics, the OPPO A5 Pro delivers exceptional performance for outdoor adventures, gaming, and entertainment.

The A5 Pro boasts an ultra-slim and lightweight design in two elegant colors—Mocha Brown and Olive Green. At just 7.76mm thick and weighing 194g, the Mocha Brown offers a sleek profile, while the Olive Green features a vegan leather finish for a premium texture and feel. Equipped with IP69 water and dust resistance, the A5 Pro is designed to withstand tough conditions, from heavy rains to accidental drops. Its innovative Splash Touch feature ensures smooth operation even on wet or oily screens. With military-grade shock resistance and upgraded double-tempered glass, the phone is built to endure everyday hazards with ease.

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 Mobile Platform, up to 12GB of RAM (expandable via RAM Expansion), and 256GB of storage, the A5 Pro delivers smooth and reliable performance. Enhanced by ColorOS 15 Lite and OPPO’s proprietary Trinity Engine, the phone guarantees system fluency for up to four years, as certified by OPPO’s 48-month Fluency Protection certification.

With AI LinkBoost and a 360° Surround Antenna, the A5 Pro ensures consistent network coverage even in weak signal areas. An Outdoor Mode optimizes network and CPU performance for seamless usage in demanding environments. The phone also supports operation with gloves, catering to outdoor professionals.

For gaming enthusiasts, OPPO’s AI GameBoost technology dynamically optimizes frame rates, delivering immersive gameplay across popular titles. A 1,000-nit Ultra Bright Display, dual stereo speakers, and Ultra Volume Mode combine for an enhanced audio-visual experience. The phone is backed by a 5,800mAh battery with 45W Flash Charge, ensuring long hours of uninterrupted use.

The A5 Pro is equipped with a 50MP main camera, 2MP portrait camera, and 8MP front camera, all enhanced by advanced AI imaging features. LivePhoto, Underwater Photography, and AI Studio tools allow users to capture and edit stunning photos and videos. Dual-View Video functionality enables simultaneous recording from front and rear cameras, perfect for vlogs and interviews.

The OPPO A5 Pro is available in the GCC region at AED 899 for the 8+256GB model and AED 1,049 for the 12+256GB variant. Customers who purchase during the promotional period (March 20 – April 2, 2025) will receive complimentary headphones worth AED 799. Each purchase includes a 12-month warranty covering waterproofing and screen protection.

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Gadgets

Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro Launches in the Middle East

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Nothing Tech today announced the regional launch of its new smartphone series, the Nothing (3a) series in the Middle East. Announced at its local event held in Dubai, the two new smartphones in the series will be available across various local retailers, both in store and online, right on time for Eid gifting.

Starting at AED 1399 and AED 1749 the Phone (3a) and (3a Pro), come to the Middle East right around the Eid holidays, making it an ideal gift for family, friends or even oneself. Announced earlier this year at MWC 2025, the phones raise the standard for a smartphone experience, featuring a significantly upgraded camera system with optical zoom, boosted performance, a refined design, and Nothing OS innovations, including Essential Space.

Commenting on the launch, Rishi Kishor Gupta, Regional Director: Middle East & Africa for Nothing, said, “Our new Phone (3a) series represents the latest innovation from Nothing, and we are thrilled to bring it to the Middle East. Following the incredible reception in global markets, we’re excited to launch it here just in time for Eid, making it a perfect addition to gift lists. We are confident that the Phone (3a) series will resonate strongly with consumers in this region and achieve great success.”

The event, hosted by Khalid Al Ameri, one of UAE’s top influencers, saw the Nothing Phone (3a) series receiving various awards, including an award from Al Qiyadi as the Best Midrange Smartphone for 2025 for Excellence in Mobile Technology. The event also hosted various industry experts and speakers, including Ahmad Alzarooni, an Emirati IT and Cybersecurity expert, who shared insightful perspectives on the innovative Essential Space feature of the Nothing Phone (3a), Antikka Hossam, a content creator and photographer demonstrated practical tips and tricks for maximizing the potential of the Nothing Phone (3a) series and Faisal Bouafra, an Emirati member of the Nothing community and a passionate brand enthusiast, who shared his story with Nothing and his passion and love for the brand.

The Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a Pro) refine the brand’s signature design with upgraded glass back panels, improved internal symmetry, and detailed finishes. Showcasing each camera system through its exposed aesthetic and innovative engineering, the phones also enhance durability with an IP64 rating and achieve the brand’s lowest carbon footprint at 51.3kg of CO2e.

The Nothing Phone (3a) Series introduces its most advanced camera system, featuring a 50MP main sensor, Sony ultra-wide sensor, and optical zoom. TrueLens Engine 3.0 combines AI and multi-frame technology for professional-grade photography. The Phone (3a) offers 2x optical zoom and up to 30x AI-enhanced zoom, while the Phone (3a) Pro adds a periscope camera with 3x optical zoom, 60x ultra zoom, and telemacro capabilities for close-ups as near as 15cm.

Both models include a 50MP main sensor for sharp, true-to-life images, with the Phone (3a) Pro offering faster autofocus and better performance in harsh lighting. The ultra-wide camera provides a 120° field of view and improved low-light results. For selfies, the Phone (3a) has a 32MP front camera, while the Phone (3a) Pro features a 50MP front camera capable of 4K video recording with AI stabilization and night enhancement.

Powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, the Phone (3a) Series delivers 92% better AI processing than its predecessor. RAM Booster enables up to 20GB of combined physical and virtual RAM, while a larger vapor chamber reduces heat by 23%. Both models feature 5000mAh batteries for two days of use, with 50W fast charging providing 50% power in under 20 minutes.

The Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro feature immersive 6.77-inch displays with Full HD+ resolution, 387 PPI, and a smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. A 480Hz touch sampling rate increases to 1000Hz in Gaming Mode for responsiveness. Auto brightness reaches 1300 nits, while peak brightness hits 3000 nits—a 131% improvement over the Phone (2a).

At the heart of it all is the Nothing OS 3.1a fast, smooth foundation tuned for stability, utility and customization, built with Android 15. Along with new levels of customizations, this new OS will also get updates for 6 years starting from when the device first became available on nothing.tech. This includes three years of Android updates and six years of security updates in addition to corrective and functionality updates.

The phones also come with Essential Space, an AI-powered hub for notes, ideas, and inspirations, designed to capture, process, and remember content like a second memory. To ensure quick access, the Phone (3a) Series features the Essential Key on its right side—press to save content, long-press to record voice notes, or double-tap to view saved items. Early Access to Essential Space is available for all Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro users, offering exclusive features like Camera Capture, Smart Collections, Focused Search, and Flip to Record, with more updates coming soon.

The Phone (3a) will be available in Black and White in two variants: 12GB+256GB for AED 1399, and 8GB+128GB for AED 999. The Phone (3a) Pro will be available in Grey and Black in one variant: 12GB+256GB for AED 1749. The 8+128GB variant of the Nothing Phone (3a) will also be available in an exclusive deal for AED 999 with Lulu and Amazon. The Blue variant of the Phone (3a), available only in 12GB+256GB configuration, will be an exclusive at Sharaf DG and Noon.com. As an exclusive launch offer, customers purchasing the Nothing Phone (3a Pro) will receive the CMF Buds and CMF Watch Pro 2 as a bundle offer, while customers purchasing the Phone (3a) will receive the CMF Buds bundled with the phone. This bundle offer applies only to the 12GB+256GB variants.

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