Cybercrime Law
Said Ibrahim Ambusaidi Advocates (SIA) in Muscat handles cybercrime cases across Oman, acting for both victims and defendants in online blackmail, defamation, electronic fraud, hacking and privacy matters under the Cybercrime Law, Royal Decree 61/2026. We guide urgent reporting to the Royal Oman Police and represent you before prosecutors and courts. The first consultation is free.
What we handle
- Online blackmail and extortion cases, for both defendants and victims
- Online defamation and abuse on social media and websites
- Electronic fraud and account takeover cases
- Hacking and unauthorized access to systems and accounts
- Privacy violations involving private conversations, photos and data
- Urgent guidance on reporting to the Royal Oman Police and content takedown
What should you do if you face online blackmail in Oman?
Do not pay, and do not delete the conversations. Paying rarely stops blackmail, it usually invites more demands, and deleted evidence is hard to recover. Keep screenshots, account numbers and links, and stop engaging with the blackmailer without erasing anything.
Report promptly to the Royal Oman Police through the nearest police station or its dedicated cybercrime channels. Early reporting improves the chances of tracing the offender and stopping publication of the material. We accompany you through the report, draft a legally complete complaint, and follow it before the Public Prosecution.
The law punishes these acts clearly. Under Article 40 of the Cybercrime Law, Royal Decree 61/2026, using an electronic means to threaten or blackmail a person carries one to three years' imprisonment and a fine of OMR 1,000 to 3,000, with harsher penalties where the threat involves a felony or matters affecting honour or reputation.
What are the penalties under Oman's new Cybercrime Law?
Since June 2026, cyber offences in Oman are governed by the new Cybercrime Law issued by Royal Decree 61/2026, which repealed the previous law of Royal Decree 12/2011 and raised penalties across many offences. For the most serious crimes in the law, penalties can reach fifteen years' imprisonment and a fine of OMR 100,000.
For online threats and blackmail, Article 40 prescribes one to three years' imprisonment and a fine of OMR 1,000 to 3,000, rising to up to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of up to OMR 10,000 where the threat involves committing a felony or attributing matters that harm honour or reputation. Article 36 criminalises violations of privacy, including recording, intercepting or publishing private conversations, and capturing or circulating photos and videos without consent.
These provisions protect victims, and they equally demand a careful defence for anyone accused under them. We work on both sides: we bring the criminal complaint and claim compensation for the injured party, and we build the technical and procedural defence for the accused.
Do you defend people accused of cybercrime?
Yes. An accusation is not a conviction. Digital evidence can point to the wrong person, through a hacked account, a shared device or impersonation, and flaws in how it was collected or analysed can strip it of its weight.
We review the seizure and search procedures and the integrity of the digital evidence, challenge the forensic reports where warranted, and appear before the Public Prosecution and the courts at every stage of the case. The earlier you appoint a lawyer, before giving any statement, the stronger your position.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for online blackmail in Oman?
Under Article 40 of Oman's Cybercrime Law, Royal Decree 61/2026, using an electronic means to threaten or blackmail a person is punishable by one to three years' imprisonment and a fine of OMR 1,000 to 3,000. The penalty rises to up to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of up to OMR 10,000 where the threat involves a felony or matters affecting honour or reputation.
How do I report online blackmail or fraud in Oman?
Preserve all the evidence first: conversations, screenshots, account numbers and links. Then report to the Royal Oman Police through the nearest police station or its dedicated cybercrime channels. Do not delete anything and do not keep engaging with the offender. From our office in Al Khoudh, Muscat, we accompany you through the report, draft the complaint and follow it before the Public Prosecution.
Should I pay a blackmailer to make it stop?
No. Paying usually invites further demands, because it shows the offender that the threat works. The sound course is to preserve the evidence, cut off contact and report promptly to the Royal Oman Police, then pursue the criminal case. Omani law punishes online blackmail firmly, and the earlier you report, the better the chances of tracing the offender and stopping any publication.
I have been accused of a cybercrime. What should I do?
Do not give a detailed statement before appointing a lawyer. Digital evidence can point to the wrong person, through a hacked account, a shared device or impersonation, and the way it was collected can be procedurally flawed. SIA reviews the seizure procedures and the forensic reports, and represents you before the Public Prosecution and the courts from the first interrogation to the final judgment.
Can offensive content published about me online be removed?
Often, yes. We guide you through reporting to the Royal Oman Police and through the platforms' own takedown channels to have the content blocked or removed, and we pursue the criminal case against the publisher under the Cybercrime Law, Royal Decree 61/2026, together with a compensation claim for the harm where the conditions are met.
Your first consultation is free
Describe your matter on WhatsApp or by phone, and we will explain your legal position before any commitment.