On Tuesday, UAE authorities warned the public about scammers using the country's foreign missions' names. Citizens and students are believed to be among the targeted victims.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an advisory warning everyone to be wary of fraudulent e-mails or phone calls requesting money transfers and claiming to represent the UAE's embassies, officers, or employees.

The scammers may request "financial transfers in order to gain admission to universities", the ministry said. Others may ask for "an advance payment to obtain a scholarship".

Such e-mails and messages should not be responded to, it warned. To report such scams to Mofa, dial 0097180024.