Syrian Authorities Warn Against Fake Credit Cards Circulating on Social-Media

In recent days, Syrian social media users have circulated images allegedly showing new credit cards set to be introduced in the country. The reports sparked widespread reactions among citizens seeking alternatives to carrying large sums of cash, a consequence of the Syrian pound’s declining value.

However, Syrian authorities have denied the validity of these claims, warning of digital scams aimed at stealing users’ personal data.

Hassan Al-Mukhtar, Director of Digital Protection at the Ministry of Information, stated via the platform “X” on Sunday evening that the concerned authorities had recently detected the spread of misleading reports claiming that the “Sham Cash” application had begun issuing global bank cards such as Visa and Mastercard for online purchases.

Al-Mukhtar clarified that the circulated information is entirely false and that its purpose is to steal login credentials to users’ bank accounts and withdraw their funds.

He stressed the importance of not sharing banking information or login credentials under any circumstances and urged citizens to rely solely on officially approved service centers affiliated with licensed banks. He also emphasized that any updates related to financial services are announced exclusively by the Central Bank of Syria.

In a related context, Syrian Finance Minister Mohammad Yaser Barnia confirmed in an interview with “Al Arabiya Business” on Sunday that the government is working to reform financial regulations and combat money laundering in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, in preparation for Syria’s removal from the grey list.

Barnia added that the ministry is committed to completing the reforms and developing financial systems that ensure the integrity and transparency of Syria’s banking sector.