Being threatened or contacted by the police about something online? Speak to a lawyer before you reply, pay or delete anything.
Being blackmailed, defamed online, defrauded or accused of an online offence? Discreet advice from cybercrime lawyers in Dubai: act before evidence disappears.
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
If you are being blackmailed, defamed or defrauded online, or you have been told you are accused of an online offence, a cybercrime lawyer in Dubai can tell you where you stand before you take a step you cannot undo. MBM advises both victims and people facing allegations, from the first report to the criminal courts, in confidence. Your first consultation is free and confidential, and you can start by phone or WhatsApp if that feels easier. You do not have to work this out alone: we take the legal work off your shoulders, explain each step in plain English and make sure you always know where the matter stands.
The two sides of a cybercrime matter look very different, so pick the one that matches you. Evidence in these cases is often digital and can disappear quickly, which is why the first hours matter.
Someone is threatening, defrauding or defaming you online. You may be dealing with blackmail or extortion, a hacked account, an online scam, or false content posted about you. First we check: what has been sent or posted, what evidence exists, and what the sender is demanding. See blackmail, defamation and fraud and hacked accounts, or talk to us about an online threat.
The police have contacted you about something you posted, sent or did online, or a complaint has been made against you. First we check: what the complaint says, which platform or account is involved, and whether an interview has been set. See accused of an online offence, or talk to us about a police call.
Online conduct in the UAE is addressed principally under the country's dedicated cybercrime legislation, which, as we understand it, is Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes. It covers online fraud, unauthorised access to electronic systems and accounts, electronic blackmail and extortion, and online defamation, among other conduct. These provisions apply to conduct carried out over messaging platforms and social media, not only to hacking in the traditional sense. People who search for a "cybercrime law UAE lawyer" usually want to know whether what happened to them is covered, so the first questions are always what was done, on which platform and what evidence exists.
Whether specific online conduct meets the threshold for a criminal complaint, and what evidence is needed, depends on the facts. This page describes the general framework. It is not advice on your matter.
| Situation | How it is usually described | Where it is dealt with |
|---|---|---|
| Threats to share private material unless you pay or comply | Electronic blackmail or extortion | Police report, Public Prosecution and the criminal courts; see blackmail |
| False or damaging statements posted about a person | Online or social media defamation | Criminal complaint and, separately, a civil claim; see defamation |
| A scam, fake investment or phishing message that cost you money | Online fraud | Police report, plus possible civil recovery; see fraud |
| Someone logging in to an account or system without permission | Unauthorised access or a hacked account | Police report and evidence preservation; see hacked accounts |
| Repeated abusive or threatening messages | Online harassment | Police report, supported by saved messages |
If you are being blackmailed online, the safest first moves are to stop engaging, keep everything and get advice before you report. A blackmail lawyer in Dubai can look at the messages with you, explain what the sender may be committing and plan the report, so that you are not left guessing what to do or whether to pay.
Payment rarely ends a demand and can encourage further threats. Do not transfer money or send more material.
Messages, images and account activity are often the evidence that matters most. Keep the originals.
Take screenshots showing usernames, dates, times and the full thread, and note any payment details demanded.
Avoid further contact with the sender beyond what is needed to preserve the evidence.
We help prepare a clear, evidence-backed report to the relevant authority, including Dubai Police's e-crime channels where applicable. As we understand it, you can report online blackmail through the Dubai Police eCrime platform (for Dubai), the Ministry of Interior eCrime service or the Public Prosecution's "My Safe Society" app. Channels change, so we confirm the current route at your first consultation.
Electronic blackmail means threats made by message, social media, email or call. The details vary: a threat to publish private photographs, to tell your employer or family, or to report you for something unless you pay. What they have in common is a demand backed by a threat. We review exactly what was said, what the sender holds and what the sender is likely to do next.
What we handle on blackmail and extortion:
Extortion is not always about images. The demand may be for money, assets or action, for example after an account is hijacked or data is taken. We look at the payment demand, the account details and the pattern of messages, because these are the facts a report depends on.
People who contact us about threats to share private images are often ashamed and afraid of what will happen next. You are not in trouble for being threatened. We treat these matters with strict discretion, and you can describe the situation by WhatsApp if you do not want to say it aloud.
Sometimes the threat follows a hacked account. We look at both parts at once: how the account was accessed, and how the access is being used against you. Do not log in repeatedly from new devices or reset everything before saving screenshots, because that can destroy the activity records.
Many people who search for "being blackmailed in Dubai lawyer" want to know whether to report first or call a lawyer first. Our advice is to keep the evidence and speak to a lawyer before you report, so that the report is made in the way most likely to be acted on. If anyone is in immediate danger, contact the police straight away.
Many of these threats come from abroad. That can make recovery harder, but it does not usually stop you from reporting, keeping evidence and getting advice, and the report itself can matter. We advise on what to do first and how to approach the matter given where the sender appears to be. We do not promise that the sender can be identified or the threat removed.
Being blackmailed, threatened or reported online? Send us your screenshots in confidence and we will tell you what to do first. Your first consultation is free.
Online and social media defamation can carry criminal exposure under UAE cybercrime legislation, in addition to any separate civil claim for damages that may arise from the same conduct. Whether you searched for an "online defamation lawyer Dubai" or a "social media defamation lawyer UAE", the advice works for both sides: it can help whoever was written about and whoever wrote it. We look at the content, who saw it and what evidence exists. For a fuller guide, see our defamation and online insult lawyer Dubai page.
Start by preserving the content before it is edited or removed: screenshots with the username, the date and the link. Then decide whether the aim is a criminal complaint, a civil claim, or both. That choice is usually what people searching for a "defamation case lawyer Dubai" need help with, and we explain how the two routes differ and which suits you. We cannot promise that content will be removed or that a complaint will succeed.
What we handle on defamation:
Complaints are sometimes made about posts, comments, messages or reviews. Whether a particular statement amounts to defamation depends on what it said, the context and the evidence, so do not assume either that you are safe or that you are in serious trouble. Do not delete the post or contact the complainant before you have advice, because deletion can complicate the position.
The same statement can potentially give rise to both a criminal complaint and a separate civil claim for damages. MBM can advise on both and coordinate with its civil litigation team. See our civil lawyer page and our page on court representation.
If you have lost money to an online scam or someone has gained access to your account, an online fraud lawyer in Dubai can help you report it properly and look at recovery. What you do in the first hours can affect what can later be proven, so save the evidence before you do anything else.
Online fraud covers fake investments, fake sellers, phishing messages and impersonation. Keep the messages, the account or website details, any receipts and the bank transfer record. We help prepare the report to the authority and, where recovery is possible, look at the civil side.
What we handle on online fraud:
If an account has been hacked or accessed without permission, note the date you noticed it, what was changed and what was sent from it. Do not retaliate or log in to the other person's account, because that may itself be unauthorised access. Tell us if you are not sure how the account was accessed.
Online fraud can also give rise to a civil claim for recovery of money. We look at it alongside the report. For unpaid sums, see our debt recovery lawyer page, and if a bank account has been frozen as part of a dispute, see our page on a bank account frozen lawyer.
If the police have contacted you about something you posted, sent or did online, speak to a lawyer before you reply, give a statement or attend an interview. Someone who has been reported for cybercrime in Dubai often has no idea what the complaint says. That is usually why people search "reported for cybercrime Dubai lawyer": a lawyer can help establish what the complaint says first.
A complaint generally goes to the police, who may call you in for a statement, and then to Public Prosecution, which decides whether the matter proceeds to the criminal court. Digital evidence, such as who had access to an account, when and from where, is often central. We review what is alleged, what platform or message is involved and what the complainant is likely to rely on. For a non-national, a conviction can lead to deportation, so the immigration side is considered alongside the defence.
We advise both the person receiving repeated abusive or threatening messages and the person accused of sending them. Keep every message, do not respond in kind and tell us the history of the dispute, because context often matters as much as the messages themselves.
What we handle on harassment and access allegations:
A complaint may allege that someone used an account, device or system without permission. These cases can involve shared passwords, former partners, employers and colleagues. Sharing login credentials, or helping someone else gain access, can itself be an offence, so a person who only passed on a password should not assume they are outside the complaint. Do not delete the account, change anything or contact the complainant before you have advice.
If an interview is scheduled, we advise beforehand so that a statement is not given without understanding its consequences. Whether and how a lawyer can take part in questioning depends on the authority and the stage, so ask us before the date. If there is any risk of a travel restriction while the complaint is open, see our page on a travel ban lawyer in Dubai. For the wider picture on rights and process, see our page on a criminal lawyer in Dubai.
A business can be the victim of cybercrime, or find an employee's conduct online raises questions for the company. Typical cases include a hacked website or email account, online fraud against the company, fake accounts that damage its reputation and extortion attempts.
We advise companies on preserving evidence, reporting the matter and any related civil recovery, and on how to approach an internal review before authorities are involved. A company can sometimes be held liable for an employee's social-media post made in the course of work, so it is worth setting out who may post for the business and what happens if something goes wrong. If directors or employees are personally exposed, see our page on directors under investigation.
Online matters follow the same route as other criminal matters, with a possible civil route running alongside. This is a plain-English map; the path in your case depends on the facts.
| Authority | What it generally deals with | Where it appears on this page |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Police and its e-crime channels | Reports of blackmail, fraud, hacked accounts and online threats, and statements | Blackmail |
| Public Prosecution | Further questioning and the decision whether the matter goes to court | Stage by stage |
| Criminal Court of First Instance | Hearings and judgment where the matter proceeds | Stage by stage |
| Court of Appeal | Appeals against a judgment, where grounds exist | Stage by stage |
| The civil courts | A separate civil claim for damages or recovery, where one arises | Defamation |
Cybercrime matters generally follow the same procedural path as other criminal matters in the UAE, with digital evidence playing a large part at every stage.
A complaint is lodged, or an investigation opens after a report. Evidence preservation is critical from this point.
Statements, interviews and, where relevant, digital forensic review before Dubai Police or the relevant authority.
Referral to Public Prosecution, further questioning, and a decision on whether the matter proceeds to the criminal court.
Proceedings before the Court of First Instance, based on the evidence and the applicable UAE law.
The court issues its judgment on the evidence and arguments presented.
Where grounds exist, assessing and pursuing an appeal before the Court of Appeal, generally within strict time limits that run from the judgment.
The way we work depends on which side of the matter you are on, but the first step is always a calm conversation to understand what has happened.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. Describe the situation by phone, in person or by WhatsApp, and we explain where you stand.
We look at the messages, accounts and documents, and what evidence already exists or could be lost.
If you instruct us, we give you a scope and a fee position before paid work starts.
For a victim, we prepare the report. For someone accused, we prepare before any statement or interview.
We act before Public Prosecution and the criminal courts, and coordinate any civil claim with MBM's civil litigation team.
We advise on any appeal or follow-up once a decision is made.
These errors are common and mostly avoidable. Knowing them in advance can protect your position.
You do not need any of this to make the call. If an interview is scheduled or a threat is ongoing, call first and gather evidence afterwards. Never edit or delete what you keep.
Cybercrime matters are often embarrassing, personal or sensitive, and they are handled by people who understand both sides of them.
Rated 4.9 on Google reviews. MBM is a founder-led team, led by Mohamed Badr with 17 years of legal experience, with litigation and arbitration handled by the same team and offices in Dubai and Sharjah. For online matters that means a first conversation in strict confidence, even by WhatsApp, and a written scope and fee before paid work starts. MBM works with group companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, which helps when a matter has an international side. That is useful when the platform, the sender or the money sits outside the UAE.
Advising victims and people facing allegations gives us a practical understanding of how these cases are built and defended.
Confidentiality applies from the first message, not from an engagement letter.
Online fraud and defamation often carry both dimensions. MBM handles litigation and arbitration as one team, so the criminal report and any civil claim can be coordinated. See civil lawyer.
No responsible firm can promise that content will be removed, a sender identified or a complaint upheld. We tell you the realistic position before you commit.
MBM has offices in Dubai Media City and in Sharjah (Al Khalidiya), and we advise on cybercrime matters across the UAE. If you have searched for "cybercrime lawyer near me Dubai", those are the two places to find us. You can meet us at either office, speak by phone or send screenshots by WhatsApp. If the matter arose in another emirate, tell us at the first consultation.
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. If you decide to instruct us, we confirm the scope and the fee in writing before paid work starts. Third-party costs, such as translation or court fees, depend on the matter and are separate from legal fees.
Because every online matter is different, we do not publish a price list. Ask at your first consultation and we will answer directly.
Being threatened, defamed or reported online? Call, message or send a form. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
Your free first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah. Online matters are often embarrassing or personal, and they are handled with discretion from the first message.
Founder & Managing Partner
Mohamed Badr leads MBM and has 17 years of legal experience. His career has included roles at law firms and multinational corporations in the UAE, advising businesses on high-stakes disputes, corporate restructuring and commercial litigation.
Names and titles as published on mbm-co.com. Your first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah.
General information, not advice on your matter. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your specific facts, so please contact MBM directly to discuss yours.
Cybercrime in the UAE is addressed principally under dedicated cybercrime legislation, which, as we understand it, is Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes. It covers a wide range of online conduct including online fraud, unauthorised access to electronic systems, electronic blackmail and extortion, and online defamation. Which provisions apply depends on the specific conduct and the evidence.
Do not pay, and do not delete messages, images or accounts connected to the matter, because preserved evidence is often central. Take screenshots showing usernames, times and the full thread, avoid further contact with the sender and speak to a lawyer promptly about reporting and protecting your position.
We advise against it. Payment rarely ends the demand and can encourage further threats. Keep the evidence, stop engaging and get advice on how to report the matter. We cannot promise any particular result, but acting calmly and quickly usually leaves more options open.
Yes. UAE cybercrime provisions apply to conduct carried out through messaging platforms, social media and other electronic means, not only through traditional hacking. We can help you prepare an evidence-backed report, including to Dubai Police's e-crime channels where applicable. As we understand it, the options include the Dubai Police eCrime platform (for Dubai), the Ministry of Interior eCrime service and the Public Prosecution's "My Safe Society" app, and we confirm the current route with you.
It can make recovery harder, but you can still keep the evidence, report the matter and take advice. The sender's location affects what is practical, so we explain the realistic position without promising that anyone can be identified or stopped.
Screenshots, message logs, account details, timestamps and any payment demands are generally useful. MBM can advise on what to preserve and how, without engaging further with the person making the threat.
In principle, yes: online messages, posts and reviews can be the subject of a complaint, and whether a particular one is an offence depends on what it said, the context and the evidence. Do not delete it or contact the complainant before you have advice.
Yes. Online and social media defamation can carry criminal exposure under UAE cybercrime legislation, in addition to any separate civil claim for damages that may arise from the same conduct.
Yes. The same defamatory statement can potentially give rise to both a criminal complaint under cybercrime legislation and a separate civil claim for damages. MBM can advise on both dimensions and coordinate with its civil litigation team.
Save evidence of the activity first, including what was changed and what was sent, and note when you noticed it. Then speak to a lawyer about reporting the matter and about any related civil recovery. Do not log in to another person's account to investigate.
Unauthorised access to accounts and systems is one of the matters covered by UAE cybercrime legislation, so you should not assume that it is harmless, even in a family or workplace setting. Sharing login credentials, or helping someone else gain access, can itself be an offence. Whether a specific act is an offence depends on the facts, so ask us before you act.
Seek legal advice before you respond, give a statement or attend an interview. Early advice can affect what options remain available later. For a non-national, a conviction can lead to deportation, so the immigration side matters too. A complaint generally moves to the police, then to Public Prosecution, which decides whether the matter goes to the criminal court.
Yes. Businesses can be targeted by online fraud, unauthorised access or extortion attempts. MBM advises companies on reporting these matters and on any related civil recovery. A company can also sometimes be liable for an employee's social-media post made in the course of work, which is another reason to take advice early.
Yes. MBM's first consultation is free and confidential. It is a discussion of your situation and your options. If you then choose to instruct MBM, we confirm the scope and the fee in writing before any paid work starts.
Yes. Every consultation and engagement with MBM is treated with professional confidentiality, whether you are the person affected or the person facing an allegation.
No. No responsible law firm can promise an outcome, including the removal of online content or the result of a criminal complaint. MBM's role is to advise on the realistic options and pursue them diligently.
As soon as possible, both to preserve evidence properly and, if you are the person accused, before any statement is given to the police, Public Prosecution or a platform.
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. Tell us briefly what has happened. A member of MBM’s legal team will review your enquiry and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
If a threat is ongoing or a police interview is close, please call rather than waiting for a reply to this form. You can also send screenshots on WhatsApp.
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Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
Whether you are being threatened online or facing an allegation about your own conduct, the earlier the matter is reviewed, the more can be done to protect your position. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
