Brief
Dubai Police Arrest Group for Posting Fake Google Maps Reviews
The arrests followed a complaint by the targeted company and were discussed on a Dubai Police podcast.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Dubai Police announced the arrest of a group accused of posting false, negative reviews on a company’s Google Maps page to damage its reputation and cause financial losses, senior police officials said.
What happened
Major Yasser Juma Mohammed, head of the Social Media Crimes Section within Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation, said the arrests came after the company’s management filed a formal complaint. Investigations uncovered that several commercial shops had organised themselves to post fabricated comments, which the police say resulted in measurable financial harm to the business.
What the reports add
Khaleej Times reported that the case was highlighted in a Dubai Police Podcast episode titled “A Single Word Could Become a Case. Be Careful,” released on Monday across platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Gulf News added that the podcast was produced by the Security Media Department of Dubai Police’s General Department of Community Happiness and that the episode was presented by radio host Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hammadi.
What was said
Major Yasser told Khaleej Times, “Freedom of expression has limits and social media must not be used to harm individuals, businesses or their interests.” Gulf News quoted the same official warning users against exploiting freedom of expression to damage reputations. Both outlets noted that Major Yasser warned the public to rely on official authorities rather than spreading rumours online.
How it came about
The investigation was triggered by the company’s complaint, prompting Dubai Police’s e‑Crimes and Cybersecurity Department to examine the review activity. The police’s earlier use of podcasts to raise awareness of online threats was noted in a prior Felo News article on the department’s crackdown on begging gangs (Dubai Police arrest 22‑Member Begging Gang After Tip‑Off), showing a pattern of public‑facing communication on cyber‑related crimes.
Key facts
- Dubai Police arrested a group accused of posting false negative Google Maps reviews to damage a company’s reputation. (khaleejtimes.com)
- The arrests followed a complaint filed by the company’s management. (gulfnews.com)
- Major Yasser Juma Mohammed heads the Social Media Crimes Section of Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation. (khaleejtimes.com)
- The case was discussed on a Dubai Police Podcast episode titled “A Single Word Could Become a Case. Be Careful.” (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] khaleejtimes.com
- [2] gulfnews.com
