Sharjah Police announce 33 arrests and AED65 billion in company assets secured
In short
Sharjah Police said an international cybercrime operation led to 33 arrests involving people of 12 nationalities and secured company assets valued at AED65 billion. The suspects were linked to networks accused of cyberattacks, money laundering, digital wallet theft and violent assault.
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Sharjah Police said an international operation against interconnected criminal networks resulted in the arrest of 33 suspects of 12 nationalities and secured company assets valued at AED65 billion. The announcement was reported on October 15. WAM said police worked with the Ministry of Interior, while The National reported that arrests took place in the UAE and abroad. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
The National reported that the suspects allegedly operated in four groups with different roles. One carried out cyberattacks and stole customer information and databases, police said. Another laundered money through virtual assets and other financial channels, while a third used social engineering to steal digital wallets. Members of the fourth allegedly assaulted victims to force them to disclose wallet passcodes. [ 2 ]
Police commander Lieutenant General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer said more than 30 companies and institutions were targeted, according to The National. The outlet reported that more than AED200 million in cash was seized and about 3,000 digital wallets were audited and verified. Police said the suspects concealed their activities through encryption and closed networks. [ 2 ]
Gulf News reported that investigators began with a 15-year-old boy found with a digital wallet containing large sums. Citing police, it said surveillance and digital analysis linked him to international suspects and an alleged plan to kidnap people with multiple digital wallets. Police arrested the teenager before that alleged plot could be carried out, the report said. A later Gulf News headline referred to a foiled murder plot but supplied no article text. [ 3 , 4 ]
WAM's report referred to evidence leading to convictions but did not identify those convicted or provide court details. The other accounts described suspects and allegations. Emirates 24|7 reported that police credited cooperation among federal, local and international authorities for the operation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The National reported that more than 30 companies and institutions were targeted and more than AED200 million in cash was seized. Police described interconnected groups using both digital attacks and physical intimidation to obtain assets.
Key facts
- Police said 33 suspects of 12 nationalities were arrested. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Police said company assets valued at AED65 billion were secured. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The National reported more than AED200 million in cash seized and about 3,000 digital wallets audited and verified. [ 2 ]
- Gulf News reported that the investigation began with a 15-year-old boy's digital wallet. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The legal status of all 33 suspects is not detailed. WAM referred to convictions without identifying those convicted or giving court details; other reports described allegations and arrests.
- Accounts differ in describing a foiled plot. Gulf News's full report described an alleged kidnapping plot, while a later headline referred to a murder plot without further text.