MUSCAT — Royal Oman Police has warned the public of a growing online fraud scheme in which criminals use a fake website designed to closely resemble the official platform of the Consumer Protection Authority to deceive victims and steal money from their bank accounts.

In a statement, the police said the scam involves luring users to a fraudulent electronic site that mimics the design and content of the official consumer protection website, prompting victims to enter personal and banking information. The perpetrators then use the data to withdraw funds from the victims’ accounts.

The General Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Inquiries said it has observed an increase in such fraud attempts, urging residents to exercise caution when interacting with online platforms and to verify the authenticity of websites before sharing any information.

Authorities stressed that the Consumer Protection Authority does not request banking card details or sensitive financial information while providing its services. The police advised the public to rely only on official government channels and to report any suspected fraudulent activity immediately.