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UAE To Punish Crypto Scammers With Fines & Jail Time

The penalties reflect Article 48 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumors and Cybercrimes.

Published

3 years ago

June 15, 2022

uae to punish crypto scammers with fines and jail time

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.

Related Topics:Cryptocurrency United Arab Emirates

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UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

Also Read: UGREEN Nexode Pro Review: Portable Yet Powerful Chargers

Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.