Personal data of thousands compromised

Damac Properties has launched an investigation into how thousands of its customers personal details ended up for sale on eBay for 750 pounds ($1,466), a senior company official told ArabianBusiness.com on Thursday.

Ten copies of a database with personal information on over 8,000 of the Dubai-based developer's customers were put on the website on May 28.

According to the posting, the database includes information such as email addresses and phone numbers of “investors, VIPs, agents and high net worth individuals based in Dubai and across the world”.

“This database is highly sought after by every financial institution in the region and is worth millions,” the posting says.

The posting has since been removed following a flurry of complaints by investors.

Nile McLoughlin, senior vice president of corporate communications at Damac, said the company took customer confidentiality “very seriously” and a “comprehensive investigation” was taking place.

“We are aware of the auction taking place on eBay and we have had the item removed from the site,” McLoughlin said.

“A comprehensive investigation is taking place and the relevant action will be taken as an outcome of this investigation.”

The incident comes less than two months after the saga surrounded the high profile cancellation and subsequent reinstatement of Damac’s Palm Springs project on the Palm Jebel Ali.