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Cybercrime & Online Offences — ABR Advocates
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Criminal Law

Cybercrime & Online Offences in the UAE

Under the UAE Cybercrimes Law, a message, post, or transfer can carry serious criminal consequences. We act for victims of online fraud and abuse — and defend those accused of offences they often did not realise existed.

Understanding Cybercrime & Online Offences in the UAE

The UAE’s Cybercrimes Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes) governs conduct online with a breadth that surprises many residents. It covers hacking and electronic fraud, but also online defamation and insult, invasion of privacy — including photographing or recording others without consent — blackmail and extortion through electronic means, and the spread of false information. Penalties include imprisonment and substantial fines, and for non-citizens, deportation can follow conviction for certain offences.

Two realities define this practice area. For victims — of online investment scams, phishing, account takeovers, extortion, or sustained harassment — speed is everything: electronic evidence must be preserved correctly and complaints channelled to the specialised units before funds and data disappear. For the accused, many cases arise from everyday conduct — a heated WhatsApp message, a screenshot shared, a review posted — where the line between expression and offence was crossed unknowingly. We handle both, with the technical evidence handled properly in each direction.

How ABR Advocates Can Help

Online Fraud Complaints

Filing cybercrime complaints for victims of online fraud, phishing, and account compromise, with evidence preserved to forensic standards.

Defamation & Privacy

Acting in online defamation, insult, and privacy cases — for complainants and for the accused.

Blackmail & Extortion

Responding urgently to electronic blackmail and extortion, including engagement with specialised police units.

Defence Representation

Defending charges arising from messages, posts, and shared content under the Cybercrimes Law.

Funds Recovery

Pursuing recovery of defrauded funds through parallel criminal and civil routes, including bank freezing requests.

See also: Fraud & Breach of Trust Cases · Criminal Defence Representation.

Common questions

Cybercrime & Online Offences FAQs

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Yes. Insulting or defaming another person through the internet or any information technology means is a criminal offence under the Cybercrimes Law, with penalties that can include imprisonment and significant fines. This covers social media posts, messages, and even content shared in private groups — and applies regardless of where the platform is based.
Preserve everything immediately — messages, transaction records, account details, screenshots with dates — and report through the official channels, such as the eCrime platform in Dubai, without alerting the fraudster. Then take legal advice on freezing and recovery: the first hours and days matter most for tracing funds.
Potentially, yes. Insults, threats, or sharing another person’s photos or private information through WhatsApp can constitute offences under the Cybercrimes Law, and cases based on private messages are prosecuted. If a complaint has been made against you, take advice before giving any statement — context and intent can matter greatly to the defence.
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This page is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. All matters are handled with strict confidentiality. Law references last reviewed July 2026.

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