Fujairah – June 19, 2025 — The Fujairah Court of Appeal has upheld a six-month prison sentence against a man convicted of engaging in sorcery and breaching the privacy of his wife and her family, marking a rare but serious application of UAE cybercrime and fraud laws in a case involving so-called spiritual practices.
The case began when the man’s wife filed a police report, alleging that her husband had used black magic on her, their children, and her relatives.
Her claims were supported by a trove of messages and images sent to her by a woman claiming to be a spiritual healer. The woman approached the wife directly, offering digital evidence of her husband’s efforts to cast spells through WhatsApp conversations and media files.
According to a report by Emarat Al Youm, the husband admitted during interrogation that he had searched online for someone to perform love spells in an attempt to reconcile with his estranged wife.
He connected with a self-proclaimed healer living in another Arab country who advertised her services through social media as a specialist in “bringing back loved ones.”
The man agreed to pay her Dh20,000 and sent her personal photos of his wife, a video of himself, and both their phone numbers.
Things took a darker turn when the woman demanded an additional Dh25,000. When he refused, she threatened to reveal his actions to his wife — a threat she eventually followed through on.
The woman contacted the wife directly and demanded Dh35,000 in exchange for evidence of the husband’s use of black magic. When the wife refused to pay without proof, the woman sent her photos, spells, and incriminating messages.
The wife, who had already filed for divorce and left the marital home two months prior due to alleged abuse, submitted the materials to the authorities.
The man later sought help from a second and then a third “healer,” paying an additional Dh10,000 in the process. He was arrested before any further action could be taken.
The Public Prosecution charged the man with four offenses: engaging in sorcery and fraud with unknown individuals, endangering the lives of others, violating personal privacy by sharing intimate images over WhatsApp, and the unlawful possession and dissemination of private materials.
The Fujairah Misdemeanor Court found him guilty and sentenced him to six months in prison. The court also ordered the confiscation and destruction of all seized digital evidence. The man appealed the verdict, denying the charges during appellate hearings.
However, the Court of Appeal upheld the original ruling, stating that the evidence — including his own admissions, WhatsApp exchanges, and digital files — was conclusive.
The court confirmed the six-month sentence and the order to destroy all relevant materials, officially closing the case.
The ruling underscores the UAE’s strict stance on cybercrime, sorcery, and privacy violations, with authorities urging residents to report similar offenses to maintain social and moral security.