The fraud entailed using fake documents printed with ink that vanished soon after delivery, as reported by the Dubai Police Fraud Prevention Team under the General Department of Criminal Investigation and Criminology.

The perpetrator persuaded victims to pay fees by presenting bogus forms described as “Account opening fees.” Additionally, cheques were manipulated by writing crucial information with magic ink that would later disappear—allowing for alterations to names and amounts.

After receiving complaints from several victims, police uncovered that the suspect had used counterfeit business cards and employee IDs to impersonate banking staff.

Officials urge residents to steer clear of informal individuals promising assistance with bank-related processes in return for money. They recommend verifying the authenticity of representatives’ credentials by reviewing official identification and using personal pens when signing documents.

Dubai Police encourage the public to report any suspicions of fraud promptly via the Dubai Police smart app or the eCrime platform.

What is Magic Ink?

Invisible Ink (Physical Magic Ink)

• Often called “magic ink” in everyday language.

• Used for secret messages, it becomes visible only under certain conditions:

  • Heat (e.g., lemon juice ink revealed by candle flame)

  • UV light (special ink only seen under blacklight)

  • Chemical reaction (inks that appear with another reagent)

• Common in spy toys, novelty pens, and escape rooms.

How To Detect Magic Ink

Detecting magic ink (typically invisible ink) depends on the type of ink used, as different inks require different activation or detection methods. Here's how to identify if magic ink has been used, based on the most common types:

🔥 1. Heat-Activated Ink (e.g., lemon juice, milk)

How to detect:

• Hold the paper near a heat source, such as:

  • A candle (carefully)

  • An iron

  • A light bulb

• The ink browns and becomes visible as it oxidizes with heat.

🔦 2. UV/Blacklight Ink

How to detect:

• Use a UV flashlight (blacklight).

• In a dark room, shine the UV light on the paper — the ink will glow or become visible if it contains fluorescent compounds.

• Often used in:

  • Security documents

  • Nightclub stamps

  • Toys and games

🧪 3. Chemical-Reactive Ink

How to detect:

• Some inks become visible when another chemical is applied.

  • Example: Phenolphthalein in ink turns pink with a base like ammonia.

• To test:

  • Apply lemon juice, vinegar, or baking soda water to the paper.

  • Use litmus paper to detect any pH changes indicating hidden ink.

🌡️ 4. Pressure or Indentation Clues

How to detect:

• Even if ink is invisible, writing pressure may leave indentation marks.

• Use side lighting or pencil shading over the paper to reveal writing patterns.

🧬 5. Digital Forensics (Advanced)

• If scanning or analyzing documents digitally:

  • Use contrast enhancement, infrared, or multi-spectral imaging.

  • For forensic or archival purposes, professionals use special imaging techniques to detect hidden inks or alterations.