What does the law say about card and e-payment fraud?
Article 15 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 (Cybercrimes Law) punishes anyone who forges, clones or copies any credit card, debit card or e-payment instrument, or captures its data using information technology, with imprisonment and/or a fine of AED 200,000 to AED 2,000,000.
The same penalties apply to making software to facilitate this, using a card or its data without authorisation to obtain funds or services for yourself or others, and accepting forged or illegally obtained cards knowing they are illegal.
What about phishing and impersonating a bank?
Creating a fake website, account or email attributed to another person or entity is punished by Article 11 with imprisonment and/or a fine of AED 50,000 to AED 200,000. Internet fraud is punished by Article 40.
Customers sometimes become suspects after allowing others to use their account or card, so how the account was used and who controlled it are central.
How are loan and bank frauds charged?
Obtaining a loan or bank funds by false documents, false statements or false capacity is charged under fraud (Article 451 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law)) and forgery (Article 251), depending on the facts.
Banks usually pursue recovery in civil courts as well. The same documents then serve both processes, which is why you should be careful about what you sign or say.
What defences exist?
That you did not make the transaction, that you did not know your account or card was used, that the data was used without your consent, or that you were a victim of the scam.
Transaction logs, device data and the sequence of events decide these cases.
What should I do first?
Contact your bank in writing
Report unauthorised use and keep the reference.
Keep your phone, SIM and device records
Do not reset or dispose of them.
Do not lend your account or card
That is how many people become suspects.
Call us before any police or bank interview
Your answers become evidence.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for cloning a card?
Imprisonment and/or a fine of AED 200,000 to AED 2,000,000 (Article 15, Cybercrimes Law).
Can I be charged for using someone else's card?
Using a card or its data without authorisation to obtain funds is covered by Article 15.
Is it a crime to accept a cloned card?
Accepting forged or illegally obtained cards knowing they are illegal is covered by Article 15.
What about a fake bank website?
Article 11 punishes creating a fake website and attributing it falsely to another.
Related guides
Financial Crime overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewFraud
How the Crimes and Penalties Law defines fraud, what must be proved, and how a commercial dispute is separated from a crime.
Read the guideCrypto Fraud
How the UAE's cybercrime law treats crypto and online investment scams, fake websites and impersonation.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 7 September 2026. The Arabic text prevails over translations. Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 (Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 4 April 2024, with one amendment. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.