UAE’s Attorney General: Imprisonment and fines await collectors of charity through social media

Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, UAE’s Attorney General, stated that in light of monitoring done by concerned bodies of cases in which normal people promote the collection of donations outside the law’s framework by means of the Internet and through social media. These cases were referred by the Federal Bureau of Investigation To the federal IT crime prosecution for investigation.

Dr. Hamad also warned that this phenomenon is dangerous in many ways, first considering donor’s ignorance of the sincerity and humanitarian need of the situation and the amount it needs, in addition to the fate of what may be collected from the funds and means of spending it, opening the room for possibilities, ranging from fraud to financing terrorist activities.

This phenomenon, if left uncontrolled, could compromise the UAE’s status as a distinguished civilization concerned with responding to the needs of people and contributing by funding charitable societies and foundations that support charitable work.

The Attorney General explained that these acts are considered crimes under the law of combating information technology crimes and is punishable by law with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty thousand dirhams, and not exceeding five hundred thousand dirhams or one of the two penalties.

Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi indicated that any party wishing to involve in such activity must obtain prior authorization from the Ministry of Community Development as the competent authority to grant it.