Crime of Electronic Extortion and Its Punishment in the Emirati Law
The Crime of Electronic Extortion and Its Punishment in the Emirati Law
The Electronic extortion is defined as the criminal’s threat to publish personal data and information, correspondences and videos related to the victim via the internet and social media, with the aim of pressuring and intimidating the victim until he complies with the orders of the extorter, and the electronic extortion is aimed at obtaining funds and material gains from those subjected to extortion, or getting them to doing unethical activities, or recruiting them into gangs practicing organized crimes.
The crime of electronic extortion has spread remarkably recently, and its methods of practicing have multiplied so that it has become professed by organized networks and gangs which obtain the personal data of the victim in several ways, such as penetration of personal accounts on social media or penetration of emails, or even penetration of the device used by the victim. It also happens that the victim sends his data on his own via the internet to the fraudulent person, who then wears the friend or lover’s dress, and after receiving the photos, videos and personal information of the victim, he reveals his true intention as an electronic extortion criminal, and the journey of extorting the victim begins.
The electronic extortion and threatening people are considered a crime punishable by the UAE law. Article 16 of the Federal Law No. 5 of 2012 regarding combating information technology crimes states on the following:
“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.”
The Federal Law of the United Arab Emirates No. 5 of 2012 on combating information technology crimes has emphasized the protection of individuals from extortion and threats and emphasized the criminalization of their perpetrators with deterrent penalties because of their exploitation of individuals and pressure on them to obtain funds or defame them in front of society. This causes major problems, one of which is psychological problems for victims who may end with committing suicide.
Mohamed Mahmoud Al Marzooqi law firm
Attorney / Mohamed Al Marzooqi
Mohamed Al Marzooqi advocates & Consultancy
Lawyer in Abu Dhabi, Dubai – UAE
