C-Suite Impersonation in the Gulf: How Threat Actors Are Targeting UAE & Saudi Executives in 2026

When a senior executive at a Dubai-based energy conglomerate receives a WhatsApp message that appears to come directly from their CEO — complete with the right profile photo, a familiar tone, and an urgent wire transfer request. This type of CEO fraud, CEO impersonation scam, or executive impersonation attack is becoming one of the most effective forms of financial cybercrime targeting Gulf organizations. According to Cyble’s Middle East & Africa Threat Landscape Report: Q1 2026 report, executiv