Case Law On Uae Financial Cybercrime Enforcement
1. Dubai Company Bank Account Hacking – AED 14 Million
Facts:
Eight individuals hacked into a Dubai company’s bank account and diverted AED 14 million to other accounts. Three companies were involved in laundering these funds. The scheme involved phishing emails and unauthorized access to banking credentials.
Legal Issues:
Unauthorized access to bank accounts (Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2012 on Combating Cybercrimes).
Money laundering (Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering).
Judgment:
First defendant: 3 years imprisonment + deportation.
Others: 6 months to 1 year imprisonment + deportation.
Two individuals fined AED 20,000; companies fined AED 300,000 each. Funds over AED 9 million were confiscated.
Significance:
Demonstrates UAE courts’ strict approach to financial cybercrime involving both individuals and companies.
Highlights dual prosecution: cybercrime and money laundering.
2. Law Firm Fraud – Fake Companies and Cyber Intrusion (AED 185 Million)
Facts:
Employees and a former manager of a Dubai law firm hacked client databases, forged documents, and created fake companies to divert funds amounting to AED 185 million.
Legal Issues:
Cyber intrusion and unauthorized access.
Forgery and embezzlement.
Money laundering.
Judgment:
Four main suspects: 3 years imprisonment + deportation.
Others: 1 year imprisonment + deportation.
AED 113.65 million confiscated; fake companies fined AED 500,000 each.
Significance:
High-value internal corporate fraud case showing misuse of digital systems.
Reinforces prosecution of both individual actors and corporate entities.
3. Digital Fraud via Email Interception – Commercial Rivalry Case
Facts:
Two employees hacked a company’s internal system and leaked client data to competitors. The operation involved intercepting emails and misusing confidential information for commercial advantage.
Legal Issues:
Cybercrime law: unauthorized access to data and commercial espionage.
Judgment:
Both defendants sentenced to 1 year imprisonment and fined AED 500,000 each.
Deportation ordered upon completion of sentences.
Significance:
Shows UAE courts treat digital theft of sensitive company information seriously.
Highlights heavy fines and imprisonment even when the primary objective was competitive advantage rather than direct monetary theft.
4. Cryptocurrency Promotion and Fraud Enforcement
Facts:
UAE authorities prosecuted individuals who promoted unlicensed cryptocurrency investment schemes, defrauding investors. The schemes were conducted entirely online.
Legal Issues:
Cybercrime law for fraud and misleading digital promotions.
Financial regulatory law: unlicensed financial activity.
Judgment:
Offenders face up to 5 years imprisonment and fines between AED 250,000 and AED 1,000,000.
Cases often involve seizure of digital assets and return of investor funds.
Significance:
Reflects UAE’s evolving cybercrime enforcement to cover emerging digital financial instruments.
Preventive and punitive measures to protect public from cryptocurrency scams.
5. Small-scale Bank Transfer Diversion via Email Hacking – AED 23,000
Facts:
A routine payment of AED 23,000 was intercepted by a hacker who manipulated company emails to divert the funds to a fraudulent account.
Legal Issues:
Unauthorized access to email accounts and banking systems.
Attempted fraud under cybercrime law.
Judgment:
Investigated by Dubai cybercrime authorities; matter resolved with restitution and minor penalties.
Significance:
Even small-scale cyber financial frauds are investigated and treated seriously.
Illustrates common hacking methods like email interception, phishing, and account manipulation.
6. Hacking of Company Accounts for Money Laundering
Facts:
A group of individuals hacked multiple corporate accounts and transferred funds to offshore accounts to launder them. The amount exceeded AED 10 million.
Legal Issues:
Unauthorized access to electronic banking systems.
Money laundering through digital channels.
Judgment:
Defendants sentenced to 2–4 years imprisonment.
Fines imposed and funds confiscated.
Significance:
Highlights the nexus between cybercrime and financial crime enforcement.
Shows the UAE’s multi-pronged approach: prison, fines, deportation, and confiscation.
Key Takeaways from These Cases
Cybercrime + Financial Crime Dual Liability: Many cases involve hacking combined with money laundering or fraud.
Corporate Accountability: Both individuals and companies can be fined or penalized.
High Penalties: Jail sentences, heavy fines, and deportation are common.
Emerging Risks: UAE law now targets cryptocurrency and digital asset scams.
Digital Evidence: Emails, online banking logs, and company systems are central to prosecution.
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