One in Three UAE Businesses Hit by Spoofing, Deepfake and Biometric Fraud

A recent survey by Regula, reveals a dramatic shift in the fraud landscape, particularly within the United Arab Emirates. The findings show that modern, sophisticated threats like spoofing, biometric fraud, and deepfakes are now more common than traditional fraud methods. For business leaders and security professionals, this is a clear signal that the battleground for digital trust has moved to the very point of verification itself.

The survey found that more than one in three businesses in the UAE has already been impacted by identity spoofing (36%) or deepfakes (35%). These are not isolated incidents but a mainstream fraud tactic, surpassing traditional threats like forged documents (28%) and social engineering (30%). This alarming trend is a direct result of the UAE's rapid digital transformation, where remote onboarding and biometric checks have become the norm. Fraudsters are no longer trying to "break in"; they are "walking through the front door" with meticulously crafted fake identities that appear legitimate from the start.

The Evolving Threat and the Cost of Inaction

The financial toll of these attacks is significant. While the global average for deepfake fraud losses is substantial, the financial services sector is particularly vulnerable, with some companies reporting losses of over $1 million. The survey also highlights a dangerous gap between confidence and competence: many organisations believe they are prepared, but the reality of financial losses tells a different story.

This is a critical moment for a shift in strategy. The days of relying on single-layer security defences are over. As sophisticated AI tools become more accessible, the creation of convincing fake identities will only become easier and more scalable. A multi-layered approach is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

How We Can Help

• Risk Management: We work with organisations to conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments that go beyond simple technical checks. Our experts analyse your systems and processes to identify weaknesses that new threats like deepfakes and biometric spoofing can exploit, ensuring your defences are aligned with the new reality of fraud.
• Digital Security: A robust defence strategy is centred on protecting the entire digital lifecycle. We provide services that help implement advanced verification technologies, including liveness detection and multi-factor authentication, to ensure that the person interacting with your system is who they claim to be, in real-time.
• Fraud Risk & Asset Tracing Services: In the event of a breach or fraud incident, our team can provide the technical and forensic expertise needed to trace fraudulent activity. We specialise in unraveling complex digital trails to identify the source of the attack, recover assets, and build comprehensive reports for legal action.

A Call for Proactive Defence

The Regula survey serves as a clear warning: the future of fraud is here, and it is powered by AI. Waiting until a deepfake attack occurs is not an option. The time to re-evaluate your security posture, invest in new technologies, and partner with experts who understand this evolving threat is now.

Contact Conflict Advisory Group today to build a resilient and proactive defense against the next generation of financial crime.