HomeCyber Crime Lawyers in Dubai
The digital revolution in the UAE has made Dubai a center for tech innovation, ambition, and investments. However, a new frontier of threats has emerged in this hyper-connected oasis, as cyber incidents are a growing threat to public safety and security. As such, the UAE government has adopted a robust cyber security legal framework to curb online threats and enhance digital safety.
The government launched the UAE cybersecurity council in November 2020 to develop a comprehensive cyber security strategy and adopted the Federal Law No. 34 on “Combatting Rumours and Cybercrime” in 2021. This legislation imposes strict fines and criminal liability for hacking, data breaches, and online fraud. Fortunately, our lawyers will help you analyse cybersecurity risks, align business processes, avoid reputational losses, and protect your rights in court when facing accusations.
What is Cyber Crime Law In UAE?
Modern technologies and the widespread adoption of digital technologies contribute to business development such as economic establishment, social peace, and simplify everyday life. However, the number of serious cyber security threats is growing: hacking, phishing, fraud, gambling, data leaks, publication of terrorist groups, pornographic materials, and illegal access to prohibited content or any other content that could harm public morals via electronic sites and communication services.
To counter new challenges and emerging technologies in 2021, the UAE adopted Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, which significantly updated and expanded the previous regulations in the field of cybersecurity.
The main goal of the Federal Decree-Law is to establish a comprehensive legal framework for preventing, detecting, and prosecuting cybercrimes that may threaten the security, economy, and reputation of the UAE, as well as the rights of individuals and organizations.
The new cybercrime law also regulates liability for actions on the internet and when using information technologies. It defines crimes related to new cybercrime law as to: unauthorized access and illegal access, to computers, data theft, other than new cybercrime law, fraud, defamation, and other offenses in the online environment.
Moreover, the legislation concerns not only traditional cybercrimes but also extends to drug and human trafficking, and other non-traditional offenses. The new law is characterized by a proactive approach, tightening penalties for crimes committed by foreigners and expanding global jurisdiction.
Main Features of the Cyber Crime Laws in the UAE
The UAE cybersecurity council and Digital Government Regulatory Authority have developed a robust legal system to enhance public awareness and boost digital security. This robust legal framework strictly prohibits unlawful collection, storage, processing, and publication of personal information through the internet.
Individuals accused of disseminating personal data without the owner’s consent or bypassing established rules for such data can face fines and criminal liability. The cyber crime law also regulates responsibility for fraudulent actions on the Internet. Punishment for online fraud include fines and temporary or permanent imprisonment for causing significant damage or large-scale deception.
Cyber threats related to hacking, deletion, blocking, modification, or copying of data without permission are considered a serious cybercrime. The punishment is increased if the cyber blackmailing or hacking results in the compromise of state or commercial secrets.
The law strictly regulates the distribution of illegal content on electronic sites that may harm public morality, contradict national security, or publishing news that may mislead users. It criminalizes eavesdropping, transmitting or disclosing communications of others without their permission. Publication, promotion, or storage of extremist, discriminatory, pornographic materials or anything promoting violence can lead to fines and imprisonment.
UAE’s federal Law No 34 on Combating Rumors also regulates illegal operations with cryptocurrencies, financial pyramids, money laundering schemes, and other actions related to digital assets. Federal law liability arises for direct fraud and aiding or advertising such schemes.
The UAE cyber security regislations classifies sensitive information such as medical records, government data and financial data, and establishes penalties for theft or attempts at disclosure of confidential codes. The laws also emphasize the protection of financial data and prohibit unauthorized access to credit cards and banking information, enhancing online safety for UAE citizens.
Types of Cyber Crime In UAE?
Let us consider the main types of the most common cyber crimes that UAE government entities adress under the Federal Decree-Law:
1. Phishing
These are online crimes where the fraudster attempts to access a user’s confidential information through deceptive softwares. In the UAE, phishing takes various forms like sending fake emails or SMS messages on behalf of government services, banks, the telecommunication sector, or popular online services. The criminals can create fake websites and login forms that visually resemble the original, fraudulent messages (audio and video channels) and visual material promising discounts or prizes.
2. Intellectual property theft
It involves any unlawful online activities related to copyright, patents, trademarks, and other intellectual properties. In the digital world, this involves crimes like illegal copying and distribution of software, films, music, audio and visual material, or books, as well as unauthorized use of brands or designs registered in the UAE.
3. Harassment/ cyber bullying
Harassment in the digital space may include disseminating false information about a person, cyberbullying, issuing threats, blackmail and insulting people through different networks. uspects can face large fines and imprisonment or deportation for foreigners under UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021.
Stalking and blackmail through the distribution of personal photographs or videos without consent are penalized even more severely. Liability arises even when using anonymous accounts or VPN services: UAE law enforcement agencies and the Dubai police work closely with providers and services to identify the offender.
4. Drug trafficking
The UAE is particularly strict against the illegal circulation of organs or trafficking of narcotic substance. As such, the use of the internet or electronic sites for the sale or exchange of prohibited substances, advertising, and promotion of drugs, and organizing closed groups for the distribution and delivery of narcotic substances entails serious criminal penalties.
If you are facing accusations of cybercrime or want to protect your company from such risks, we recommend consulting professional lawyers. Our cybercrime law firm in Dubai will help you understand the intricacies of legislation, conduct a cybersecurity audit, and establish a reliable line of communication services for your defense.
How to File a Cyber Crime Complaint Under UAE Law
The first step to report cyber crimes like identity theft, social media bullyuing or other suspicious online activities in the UAE is evidence gathering. Record the evidence of the crime by taking screenshots of correspondence, letters, transactions, or offensive messages. Save links for any criminal activity committed through electronic websites or social networks. Note the date, time, and context in which the offense occurred.
Don’t respond to unsolicited messages, don’t click suspicious links and don’t install unknown applications. Notify banking organizations if it concerns financial fraud. If the case involves hacking social media platforms, payment methods or other electronic information systems like emails and messages, change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Befficial offcially filling a report through the Dubai police app or the smart police station, consulting with a solicitor or legal advisor is important. A legal specialist can analyze your case and recommend a comprehensive legal framework to effectively address the issue through official channels. The lawyer will help you understand whether the incident falls under specific articles of the cybercrime law for proper classification and preparation for filing the complaint.
In the UAE, there are dedicated websites for reporting cybercrimes and filing complaints online. You can submit reports and access information systems through the Abu Dhabi Police and Dubai police ecrime portals. When filing a report, you must provide personal details such as your full name and contact information, a description of the incident (including dates, times, and circumstances), as well as any supporting evidence such as screenshots, documents, or videos.”
If it is not possible to file a complaint online or the case requires personal presence, you can visit the nearest police station. Do not forget to bring identification (Emirates ID or passport), evidence documents (printed screenshots, copies of correspondence), and a written description of the incident in English or Arabic. After accepting your statement, the local police will provide you with a case number. Keep it for tracking the progress of the investigation and future inquiries.
If the case is brought to court, the lawyer will help compile the evidence base, represent the interests of the victim, and achieve a fair verdict. For companies, it is often important to ensure the punishment of the guilty while protecting their business reputation by minimizing the damage from public proceedings.
Penalties for Cybercrimes in the UAE
The cyber crime UAE law provides a wide range of fines, depending on the severity of the offence and the extent of the damage caused. Minimum fines can start from several tens of thousands of dirhams in cases of less serious crimes where no significant material or reputational harm was inflicted.
Serious crimes may result in imprisonment and fines ranging from hundreds of thousands to a million dirhams if the offence has caused significant losses, disrupted state security, national unity, or violated the rights of many UAE citizens. In some cases, the amount may increase proportionally to the extent of the damage or the income obtained by the offender from illegal actions. The size of the fine may also rise in cases of repeated cybercrime or the presence of aggravating circumstances.
Fines and jail-time may be imposed for the most serious types of cybercrimes like:
- Large-scale cyber fraud affecting a significant number of victims,
- Hacking of government or strategically important IT systems (bank accounts, infrastructure facilities, communication services, government portals),
- Dissemination of extremist, terrorist, or prohibited content to destabilize the situation in the country,
- Blackmail, harassment, and extortion accompanied by threats of physical violence or disclosure of confidential information.
The term of imprisonment can range from several months to several years, depending on specific articles and the severity of the consequences caused by the cybercrime. For foreign nationals who have violated UAE legislation, deportation is often applied as an additional measure of punishment. In particularly severe cases, deportation may be mandatory, without the right to re-enter the UAE. Such a decision is made by the court, taking into account the nature of the offence and possible risks to public safety.
Federal Decree-Law No. 34 grants federal law- law-enforcement agencies and courts the right to seize and confiscate computer equipment, servers, mobile devices, and other such electronic technology means used in the commission of a crime. Social accounts, applications and electronic sites that served as a platform for illegal activities or contained unlawful content may be blocked.
In addition to criminal legal measures used, victims (citizens, companies or government bodies) may file civil claims for compensation for damages caused, lost profits, or harm to the business’s reputation.
New Cyber Crime Law UAE
Cryptocurrencies and emerging technologies are among the maion topics covered by the new UAE cyber crime law. Individuals involved in defamation, human trafficking, hacking, cryptocurrency fraud and other cyber crimes can face prison sentences and large fines. Special attention is given to cases where criminals hide illegal funds behind offshore companies and use anonymous wallets.
Moreover, the definition of “cybercrime” has been expanded. It now also includes manipulations with digital data (deepfakes) for discreditation or blackmail, and the use of artificial intelligence for illegal purposes. The law also increases the legal responsibility for repeat offenders and foreigners often face deportation after serving their sentences.
Compliance and Risk Prevention Measures
To avoid serious legal consequences and protect your reputation, companies must establish a cyber security compliance system. Every company must:
- Identify the main vulnerabilities in your IT systems and infrastructure;
- Determine possible cyberattack scenarios (hacking, data leakage, blackmail, phishing, etc.);
- Develop a strategy for risk minimization, including data backup and regular software updates.
Such an analysis helps enhances cybersecurity awareness and helps you understand where resources need to be focused and where the most dangerous gaps in protection may occur. Compliance with Law No. 34 largely depends on the presence of clear corporate policies.
The information technology security policy outlines the rules for handling private information, access control, and incident response procedures. The device and software usage policy regulates the use of personal gadgets in the workplace, application installation, and working with corporate resources. Clear internal procedures simplify compliance with legal requirements and help identify violations in a timely manner.
The human factor remains one of the weakest points in cyber defense. Therefore, it is critically important to conduct regular training sessions and seminars for employees on the topic of information security, to orient staff towards recognizing phishing attacks, using complex passwords, and two-factor authentication.
Moreover, every company with an electronic site and information technology system must ensure secure data transmission channels through encryption or VPN connections for remote employees. It is also worth taking care of an intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS), antivirus software, and firewalls. Monitoring and logging of electronic site medical data, and information technology and network activities allow for promptly recording suspicious events.
Legal consultation is important when creating or updating internal policies. Experienced specialists will help to take into account all the requirements of Law No. 34 and reduce the risk of fines. Proper documentation of facts and interaction with the competent authority and UAE police is a guarantee of successfully defending interests in court. If accusations of data leakage or compliance violations arise, a lawyer will defend your position in judicial and pre-trial proceedings.
Contact our Lawyers in the UAE
Our legal company in the UAE brings together experts specializing in cyber crime law, protecting clients from cybercrimes and assisting those who have faced unfounded accusations of digital threats in this field. We care about the security of each client, offering comprehensive legal solutions:
- Analysis and prevention of risks: identifying vulnerabilities and helping to build a compliance system in accordance with the Cybercrime Act;
- Support for investigations: in cases of hacking, fraud, and data leaks, we take on the interaction with law enforcement agencies to minimize reputational and financial losses;
- Defence in courts: if the case has reached the judicial stage, our lawyers with many years of experience will represent your interests and defend your rights in the face of accusations;
- Consulting and legal support: we offer step-by-step instructions and consultations on UAE legislation, develop internal regulations for companies, and provide recommendations for safe work in the digital space.
We have been helping corporate clients, startups, foreign investors, and individuals effectively protect themselves from various cyber crime threats for many years. We work transparently, in close cooperation with technical specialists, and take into account all changes in UAE new cyber crime law.
Contact our lawyers right now to receive an initial consultation and professional legal assistance. We will help find the optimal solution, develop a comprehensive defense strategy, and take care of the legal formalities so that you can focus on the development and security of your business.
