If you’re hunting for the coveted chocolate bar from Dubai (UAE), proceed with caution. Experts warn scammers are cashing in on the viral craze.
Dubai chocolate is a distinctive treat made with pistachio paste and kadaif, the thin, crispy strands often called “angel hair.” The confection, called Can’t Get Knafeh Of It, was created in 2021 by chocolatier Sara Hamuda, founder of FIX Dessert Chocolatier. Last year, the chocolate from the United Arab Emirates exploded in popularity worldwide, largely thanks to social media.
Meanwhile, unscrupulous people have set up fake websites impersonating the manufacturer and the UAE seller. They demand upfront payments and then never deliver, exploiting consumer excitement and trust in well-known brands.
How to avoid falling for this trap
The manufacturer sells the popular bar for about $19 and only in the UAE. “Currently we do not offer international shipping or retail sales outside the region,” the company told the Daily Mail.
On the company’s official Facebook page they say they have no authorized resellers and no website. So if you find multiple sites claiming to sell this chocolate, they’re likely scams.
For example, one site, fixdessertchocolate.com, advertises the bar for $18 (plus $15 for shipping). But when customers try to place an order, the site says the total must be at least $150.
One red flag on some of these pages is this pitch: “Order with cryptocurrency and receive an extra chocolate bar!”
Another site, fixdessertshop.com, lists bars for about $19 (plus $30 for shipping). When buyers try to check out, the site insists they must pay an extra $108 to complete the order.
Yet another site, orderfixchocolatier.shop, tells customers they must order at least six bars. Even if buyers pay that inflated sum, there’s no guarantee they’ll receive the package.
Some companies do produce and sell their own versions of this confection, but they usually state that their product is similar to Dubai chocolate rather than the authentic bar.
Given the hype around Dubai chocolate, avoid buying it from unfamiliar websites.
If you can’t purchase the bar directly from the UAE, coordinate with someone who can bring it to you.
A recent investigation in Germany found counterfeit Dubai chocolate bars on store shelves. Officials discovered suspicious additives and contaminants, including palm oil, green food coloring, mold-produced toxins, and possible carcinogens among the ingredients.
