Dubai: Private photographs, confidential financial details or just your family history – sensitive information in the wrong hands can lead you down a dangerous spiral of blackmail and extortion, especially at a time when everyone is connected through the internet.
If you are facing cyber blackmail or extortion, it is important to educate yourself of your rights and the best way to deal with the criminal – whether the individual is someone you know or a complete stranger.
The UAE’s authorities have doubled down on cyber crimes, issuing a detailed penal code specifically for crimes committed online through Federal Decree Law No. (5) of 2012. The country’s police and judicial authorities also continuously raise awareness to protect people from falling victim to such crimes. However, if you do find yourself in such a situation, here is all you need to know about how you should deal with it.
A case study
The UAE’s Public Prosecution educated people about the need to alert authorities in case you are being subjected to blackmail or extortion online.
In a case shared by the Public Prosecution on their social media channels, a woman approached the police, stating that a young man hacked into her laptop, seized her pictures and demanded transfer of a sum of money to his account under threat of posting her pictures on social media. Afraid of his threats, the woman transferred the money but when she asked the man to return her pictures, he refused and asked her out, threatening once again that he would post her pictures, in case she refused. The extorter was caught after an ambush with his mobile and laptop containing threatening messages and several obscene pictures and videos.
When interrogated, he confessed to the crimes and said that he was just playing and testing his hacking skills and expressed remorse. A court case was filed under the cybercrimes law.
The Public Prosecution urged people to educate themselves, and those under their supervision, of the dangers of not using technology safely. They also advised people to immediately report any demands for extortion to competent authorities.
In a public service message on its social media channels, Dubai Police also informed people that they handle cyber blackmail reports confidentially and people should not hesitate in seeking the help of police authorities when they are victims of such crimes.
How can you prevent yourself from cyber blackmail?
The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) provides the following advice to people:
• Do not give in to cyber blackmailing.
• Don’t accept friendship requests from people you don’t know.
• Don’t send any money to anyone under any threat.
• Be aware of dating sites and applications, as they mark the hub for hunting victims.
What does the law say?
The UAE’s cybercrimes law Federal Decree Law No. (5) of 2012 provides strict penalties, including fines and jail terms, on individuals found guilty of committing cyber crimes. According to Article 16 of the law, an individual found extorting or threating a person – forcing them to or preventing them from committing certain acts – can face a jail term of two years and a fine of up to Dh500,000.
Article 16
Shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of two years at most and a fine not less than two hundred fifty thousand dirhams and not in excess of five hundred thousand dirhams or either of these two penalties whoever uses a computer network or information technology means to extort or threaten another person to force him to engage in or prevent him from engaging in a certain act.
The punishment shall be imprisonment up to ten years if the subject of threat is to commit a felony or engage in matters against honor or morals.
How to report cyber blackmail
Contact Al Ameen
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Dubai Police’s website - ecrime.ae
• Visit www.ecrime.ae
• Answer the question: ‘Is the report submitted related to the internet or cyberspace? (Email, social media, internet calls, cybercrime, hacking, blackmail)’.
• Choose the complaint type: Personal, private entity, local government entity or federal entity.
• Submit your Emirates ID electronically.
• Submit your address, mobile number and email ID.
• The platform will text you a verification code to your mobile phone, which you then enter on the platform.
This service is specific to crimes happened within the geographical scope of the emirate of Dubai.
My Safe Society
An app by UAE Public Prosecution, available for Apple and Android devices.
Abu Dhabi Police’s Aman services – 800 2626
You can also report cybercrimes to the nearest police station in your area, or call 999 for help.
