Abu Dhabi court sentences eight in online child sexual exploitation case

Eight individuals have been sentenced to prison in Abu Dhabi after being convicted of online child sexual exploitation . The group lured minors through gaming and social media platforms, possessed and distributed indecent content, and used digital tools to target vulnerable children. The court imposed jail terms, fines, and technology-related penalties in a case that highlights growing threats to child safety online.

Convictions in UAE for child exploitation via social media and gaming platforms

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court convicted eight individuals for targeting minors through social media and online gaming platforms. Investigations found they had lured children into sharing explicit content. The defendants were also found guilty of possessing and distributing child sexual exploitation material.

Key points:

• Children were targeted through gaming and social media platforms
• Offenders enticed minors into sharing explicit material
• All eight were convicted of possession and exchange of indecent content
  

The court sentenced them to prison terms ranging from 3 to 15 years, and issued fines up to Dh1 million (approx. $272,294). No information was released regarding their ages or nationalities, nor the specific dates of the offences.


Abu Dhabi sentencing: Online child exploitation fines, bans, deportation

Alongside the prison sentences, the Abu Dhabi court imposed several punitive and preventive measures to ensure the convicts cannot reoffend through digital means.

Penalties included:

• Confiscation of electronic devices used in committing the crimes
• Permanent internet access bans
• Closure of all related online accounts
• Deportation of three convicts after they serve their sentences

These measures reflect the court’s focus on preventing future misuse of technology and protecting digital spaces from exploitation.

Investigation and digital forensics: How Abu Dhabi prosecutors built the case
The convictions followed a comprehensive investigation by the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution. Authorities had been monitoring suspicious online activity that suggested children were being exploited electronically.

Steps in the investigation included:

• Surveillance of platforms with high child-user traffic
• Issuance of arrest warrants
• Interrogation of suspects, who admitted to the charges
• Forensic analysis of seized devices, which confirmed the presence of child pornography, obtained and shared using digital platforms

This digital evidence was central to securing guilty verdicts and sentencing.

Public warnings and UAE’s international role in child protection efforts
In response to the case, the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution urged the public to remain vigilant against online threats, particularly those targeting children. Parents were advised to:

• Monitor children’s digital activities
• Warn them against accepting friend requests from unknown users
• Educate them on how to respond to online blackmail or suspicious behavior

The case aligns with the UAE’s broader efforts to combat online child abuse globally.

The UAE recently participated in a major international operation under the “AI for Safer Children” initiative, launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Interior and the United Nations Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).

Key results from that operation:

• 73 search warrants issued globally
• 32 arrests made
• 15 minors rescued
• 393 electronic devices seized
• 22 individuals charged for possession, production, or distribution of child exploitation materials

The operation was led by Argentina and included 15 countries such as the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, and others.