Cryptocurrency scams (and crypto scammers) are a global problem, and the cost of this problem reached a staggering $14 billion in 2021 alone.

To discourage crypto scammers from targeting unsuspecting investors, the UAE Public Prosecution has recently announced its decision to punish them with fines of up to $136,124 USD (AED 500,000) and jail terms for the following offenses:

• Promoting goods or services through misleading advertisement or using false data.
• Advertising, promoting, brokering, or dealing in any form, or encouraging the dealing in a virtual or digital currency, a stored value unit, or any unit of payment that is not officially recognized in the UAE or without obtaining a license from the competent authority.

The penalties reflect Article 48 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumors and Cybercrimes, and they’re explained in a video the UAE Public Prosecution shared on social media.

The UAE Public Prosecution is on a mission to increase awareness about the latest laws in the country, and it has issued several similar warnings in the past.

Also Read: 3 Best Cold Storage Wallets For Crypto In 2023

In 2020, for example, the UAE Public Prosecution warned that the use of the Internet Protocol for committing a crime or evading its discovery was a punishable offense in accordance with Article 9 of the Federal Law No. 5 for 2012 on combating cybercrimes and its amendments.

The UAE aspires to become a global crypto hub, and it needs a strong legislature to attract innovators and investors alike.

In February 2022, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the so-called Virtual Asset Law, establishing the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), whose purpose is to oversee the regulation and authorization of virtual asset activities in Dubai.

It will be interesting to see how much these new punishments will drop the amount of scams we see on a daily basis.