Dubai Launches “Scan Smart” Campaign to Combat QR Code Fraud

The Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) launched the “Scan Smart” campaign, which took place from 24 to 30 October as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, with the goal of raising public awareness about QR code–related risks. As QR codes become increasingly common in restaurants, hotels, shops, events, and other public spaces, the risk of tampering or malicious replacement continues to grow. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 4.2 million global attempts to forge QR codes were recorded, underscoring the urgent need for public education. Through the initiative, DESC aimed to empower citizens and businesses to recognize legitimate codes, avoid compromised ones, and report suspicious activity.

DESC Chief Executive H.E. Yousuf AlShaibani stated that the campaign reflects the center’s commitment to building a safer digital environment for Dubai’s residents and visitors. As part of the campaign, DESC introduced interactive kiosks and an educational microsite, along with RZAM — a free browser extension that detects risky websites triggered after scanning QR codes.

Dozens of F&B venues across the city participated as “Scan Smart Partners,” displaying branded materials and offering visitors free coffee and exclusive discounts. These partners helped create everyday “micro hubs” of digital awareness, where the public could learn about safe QR scanning in a relaxed environment. DESC encouraged users to always verify QR codes before scanning and to report any suspicious attempts, strengthening community cyber resilience and supporting the wider vision of a safer digital ecosystem in the UAE.