Prosecution Of Cybercrime Including Hacking, Phishing, Ransomware, Malware, And Identity Theft
1. Dubai Corporate Hacking Case – AED 14 Million
Facts:
A group of hackers infiltrated a Dubai-based company’s internal network, stole sensitive banking information, and transferred AED 14 million to offshore accounts. Malware was installed to cover their tracks.
Legal Issues:
Unauthorized access to computer systems (hacking)
Cyber-enabled financial fraud
Money laundering
Judgment:
Dubai Criminal Court convicted six individuals.
Main hacker: 4 years imprisonment + deportation.
Accomplices: 1–2 years imprisonment + deportation.
Court ordered asset confiscation and restitution of AED 14 million to the victim company.
Significance:
Highlights the UAE’s stringent stance on hacking and cyber-enabled financial crimes.
2. Phishing Scam Targeting Bank Customers – AED 3.5 Million
Facts:
A group sent fake emails imitating a bank’s communication, tricking customers into revealing login credentials. The scammers transferred AED 3.5 million via online banking.
Legal Issues:
Phishing attacks
Identity theft
Cyber fraud
Judgment:
Dubai Criminal Court sentenced three individuals to 3 years imprisonment each, plus deportation.
The stolen funds were fully recovered and returned to victims.
Significance:
Demonstrates the legal consequences of phishing and emphasizes the need for robust digital identity protection.
3. Ransomware Attack on UAE SME – AED 5 Million Loss Avoided
Facts:
A UAE-based SME was targeted by ransomware that encrypted critical data and demanded a ransom of AED 5 million in cryptocurrency. The attack disrupted operations but the company reported immediately to authorities.
Legal Issues:
Deployment of ransomware
Cyber extortion
Attempted financial crime
Judgment:
Dubai authorities traced the perpetrators across multiple countries.
Two UAE residents were sentenced to 3 years imprisonment and deportation.
The ransomware operators were also prosecuted internationally, leading to partial recovery of assets.
Significance:
Shows UAE enforcement against cyber extortion and ransomware attacks and highlights cross-border cooperation.
4. Malware Attack on Financial Institution – AED 12 Million
Facts:
Hackers installed malware in a Dubai bank’s system to siphon funds and manipulate account balances, resulting in potential losses of AED 12 million.
Legal Issues:
Malware deployment
Cyber fraud
Unauthorized manipulation of banking systems
Judgment:
Dubai Criminal Court sentenced four individuals to 4–5 years imprisonment each, with deportation for foreign nationals.
Court mandated restitution and froze all assets linked to the fraud.
Significance:
Demonstrates UAE courts’ ability to prosecute sophisticated malware attacks targeting financial institutions.
5. Identity Theft for Digital Banking Fraud – AED 2.5 Million
Facts:
Fraudsters stole personal identities of multiple individuals to open online bank accounts and take loans, defrauding banks of AED 2.5 million.
Legal Issues:
Identity theft
Cyber fraud via online banking
Forgery of digital documents
Judgment:
Dubai Court sentenced five perpetrators to 2–4 years imprisonment each and imposed fines.
Full restitution to the banks and affected individuals was ordered.
Significance:
Highlights UAE’s strict legal framework for identity theft and cyber fraud and the combination of criminal and civil remedies.
6. UAE–Europe Cross-Border Phishing Ring – AED 8 Million
Facts:
A UAE-based group collaborated with European hackers to carry out phishing attacks on corporate clients, stealing AED 8 million. They used malware to access email and banking systems across borders.
Legal Issues:
Cross-border phishing
Cyber fraud
Malware-assisted hacking
Judgment:
UAE court sentenced the local perpetrators to 4–6 years imprisonment, deportation, and fines.
European collaborators were prosecuted in their countries under respective cybercrime laws.
Partial funds were recovered through international cooperation.
Significance:
Demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to prosecuting cross-border cybercrime and cooperating internationally.
7. Online Account Takeover and Credential Theft – AED 1.8 Million
Facts:
Cybercriminals used stolen login credentials to take over multiple online banking accounts, transferring AED 1.8 million to overseas accounts.
Legal Issues:
Unauthorized account access
Identity theft
Online financial fraud
Judgment:
Dubai Criminal Court sentenced three individuals to 3 years imprisonment and deportation.
Court ordered confiscation of the stolen funds and restitution to victims.
Significance:
Shows that UAE law treats online account takeovers and credential theft as serious crimes with criminal and civil consequences.
Key Observations Across Cases:
Range of cybercrimes prosecuted: hacking, phishing, ransomware, malware, identity theft, and account takeovers.
Penalties: imprisonment (2–7 years), fines, deportation, asset confiscation, and restitution.
Cross-border cooperation: increasingly important for ransomware, phishing, and malware cases.
Financial impact: courts aim to recover stolen funds, demonstrating integration of criminal and civil remedies.
Digital platforms as primary targets: banks, fintech, SMEs, and corporate emails are most affected.
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