A text message says you owe a tiny toll or traffic charge — sometimes just a few dirhams — and gives you a link to pay before a penalty grows.
The small amount is the bait. The real target is the card information entered on the fake payment page.
In April 2026, UAE prosecutors investigated a cross-emirate fraud network linked to fake SMS messages offering to settle minor toll-related traffic fines for amounts as low as AED 4. Khaleej Times reported 35 cases across the UAE, including 29 in Dubai, with victims losing much larger sums after entering card details.
Why the AED 4 amount works
A tiny charge creates less friction than a large one. Many people will investigate a AED 400 demand; far fewer will spend time checking a AED 4 message.
That makes the first payment page useful to the scammer even if the AED 4 itself is never the real objective. Once card information is captured, unauthorised transactions can follow.
Salik has already warned about fake links
Salik has separately warned customers about phishing, cloned websites and counterfeit links for recharging accounts or buying tags. Its guidance is straightforward: rely on official Salik channels, avoid suspicious links and verify that you are using the genuine website or app before entering payment information.
The same habit applies to RTA fines and other government or utility payments: do not trust the link simply because the message uses the right logo, wording or amount.
What to do when the message arrives
Do not pay from the SMS link. Open the official Salik or RTA channel yourself and check whether the charge actually exists.
If you already entered card details, contact your bank immediately and follow its card-blocking and fraud-reporting process. Keep screenshots of the message and URL. Suspicious electronic fraud can also be reported through the relevant UAE police channels.
The bottom line
The useful rule is not “watch out for AED 4.” The amount can change.
The rule is: verify the charge inside the official service before you pay. A convincing SMS is not proof that the debt exists.
Sources
Salik — customer guidance on scams and phishing
Salik — warning on scam emails, social posts and clone websites
Checked 21 September 2026. The April 2026 fraud case involved fake low-value toll/traffic-payment messages. Scam messages can use different amounts and brands.
Robius.news — Dubai, UAE — 2026 | Built to be first. Built to be trusted.
