Woman Jailed for Using Another Person’s Bank Card for Digital Payments

A European woman has been sentenced to one month in jail and fined Dh18,750 by a Dubai misdemeanours court after being convicted of using another person’s bank card details to carry out unauthorised digital payments.

The case was prosecuted under the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes, which criminalises the misuse of credit cards, debit cards, electronic payment methods or related data to obtain money, property or services without the consent of the rightful owner.

According to court records, the woman deliberately accessed and used payment card information belonging to another individual to conduct financial transactions for her own benefit. The court found that the evidence established the transactions were carried out without the knowledge or approval of the cardholder.

As part of its ruling, the court sentenced the woman to one month in prison, imposed a fine of Dh18,750 — equal to the amount obtained through the unauthorised transactions — and ordered the confiscation of the mobile phone used in committing the offence. She will also be deported from the UAE after completing her sentence.

The judgement highlights the UAE’s firm stance against electronic payment fraud and its efforts to protect individuals and businesses from financial crimes involving digital platforms.

Authorities have repeatedly warned residents not to share their bank card details, personal identification numbers (PINs) or one-time passwords (OTPs) with anyone, regardless of the circumstances or reasons given.

Residents are also advised to immediately contact their banks if they notice suspicious transactions or suspect that their payment information has been compromised.

Banks continue to encourage customers to activate instant transaction alerts, regularly monitor account activity, use trusted payment platforms and avoid saving sensitive financial details on unsecured websites or devices.

With digital and contactless payments becoming increasingly widespread in the UAE, authorities are stressing the importance of protecting personal financial information to prevent fraud and identity theft.

The latest ruling serves as a reminder that the unauthorised use of another person’s payment card or electronic payment data is considered a serious criminal offence in the UAE, carrying penalties that may include imprisonment, financial fines and deportation for expatriate offenders.

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