Sharjah: Sharjah Police, in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Interior, have dismantled four international criminal networks, arrested 33 suspects from 12 nationalities and secured more than AED65 billion in assets in an operation targeting cybercrime, money laundering, fraud and digital wallet theft.
The operation, codenamed “End of the Battle”, also led to the seizure of more than AED200 million, the auditing and verification of over 3,000 digital wallets and the protection of more than 30 companies and institutions worldwide.
Police said the operation resulted in the arrest of the networks’ leaders and members, including suspects brought back from abroad. The authorities said the operation had also helped limit potential repercussions for digital asset markets worldwide.
The details were announced during a media briefing at Sharjah Media City (Shams), where police and prosecution officials outlined how the networks operated across borders, using artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency transactions, hacking, extortion and violence.
Sharjah Police uncover four international criminal networks
Lieutenant General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, said the operation was conducted within the UAE’s security framework under the Ministry of Interior, with the support and supervision of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
He credited the UAE leadership’s support for strengthening the capabilities of police and security institutions to address cybercrime and cross-border criminal activities.
Investigators from the Digital Crime Combat Department uncovered the organisation’s infrastructure, which operated through encrypted communication channels, restricted networks and platforms accessible only to its members.
According to police, members of the networks presented themselves as businesspeople and investors, travelling between world capitals and displaying wealth while concealing their involvement in criminal activities.
“What has been achieved in this case is the result of integrated institutional work, continues security efforts, and close cooperation and coordination with federal, local and international authorities. These efforts led to the dismantling of these networks and groups, the arrest of their members, and the thwarting of their plans. This confirms the efficiency of the United Arab Emirates’ national security system and its ability to handle various cases, regardless of their complexity or whether they extend beyond its geographical borders, and to keep pace with security challenges efficiently and competently,” Lt Gen bin Amer said in a statement.
He said cooperation between security agencies had enabled investigators to dismantle the networks, arrest their members and prevent further criminal activity.
The police chief also commended Sharjah Police personnel, the Ministry of Interior, security agencies and the Sharjah Public Prosecution for their roles in the operation.
He said cooperation between police, prosecutors and international authorities would remain central to combating cybercrime, protecting assets and safeguarding society.
AED8.8 billion linked to money laundering
Anwar Al Harmoudi, Attorney General of Sharjah, said investigations uncovered money laundering transactions involving AED8,825,381,741.50.
The proceeds were transferred through bank accounts, digital wallets and platforms, with companies and intermediaries allegedly used to conceal the sources of the funds.
He said the criminal process began with fraud and hacking operations to obtain victims’ money and digital assets. The proceeds were then transferred across countries before being converted into property and investments to give them the appearance of legitimate funds.
Investigators found that the proceeds were invested in real estate, cars, watches and jewellery.
Al Harmoudi said the speed of transfers and the movement of funds across jurisdictions made it difficult to trace transactions and identify the beneficiaries.
The Public Prosecution launched judicial, digital and financial investigations to identify the participants, trace funds, freeze accounts and locate assets associated with the suspects.
Over 10,000 documents examined and 478 judicial orders issued
According to the Public Prosecution, investigators examined more than 10,000 documents and reports during the case.
The investigation involved:
- 142 reports and investigation sessions
- 385 prosecution decisions
- 478 judicial orders
- Inspection of 103 electronic devices
- 12 search warrants
- 109 requests coordinated with the Financial Intelligence Unit
- Eight requests and procedures involving international cooperation
The proceedings involved 33 suspects from 12 nationalities, with six legal entities also identified in the case.
Investigators coordinated with judicial, security, technical and regulatory authorities to establish the roles of those involved and follow the movement of funds between accounts, wallets and platforms.
The prosecution said the evidence obtained during the investigation led to convictions.
Police seize AED200 million, 17 cars, watches and property
The investigation resulted in the seizure of more than AED200 million, alongside assets linked to members of the criminal networks.
Authorities seized or placed under restraint 17 cars, 29 watches, jewellery, a residential villa, two villas under construction and two residential plots of land.
Searches also uncovered cold cryptocurrency wallets, narcotic substances, counterfeit currency and tools used for counterfeiting.
Police said other assets worth hundreds of millions of dirhams were impounded, while digital wallets belonging to members of the networks had recorded transactions worth billions.
Investigators also recovered electronic devices and cash during raids on properties associated with the suspects.
How the four cybercrime networks operated
Major General Omar Ahmed Bu Al Zoud, Director-General of the General Department of Criminal Security and Ports, said the criminal organisation consisted of four networks with different responsibilities.
The first network conducted cyberattacks and stole databases and information.
The second laundered proceeds through virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies and digital wallets.
The third carried out social engineering scams, fraud and digital wallet theft.
The fourth was involved in physical assaults, threats and attempts to force victims to disclose their cryptocurrency wallet passcodes.
According to police, some victims were threatened with harm to their family members, while others faced violence in several countries.
The networks targeted individuals, companies and institutions, with members carrying out different stages of the criminal process.
Information obtained through hacking was transferred to other members, who organised and sold compromised data through dark web platforms.
The stolen information was also used in phishing and fraud schemes, including operations supported by artificial intelligence tools.
Other members contacted victims to persuade them to transfer money, while some used threats and violence to force compliance.
Proceeds obtained through these activities were routed through cryptocurrency wallets, transferred between accounts and distributed among the network’s members.
Police said evidence gathered from digital wallets and open sources also linked several suspects to international crimes, violence, threats and criminal groups operating in other countries.
Juvenile suspect leads police to international digital wallet theft network
Brigadier Dr Khalifa Yousif Belhai, Director of the Criminal Investigation Directorate at Sharjah Police, said investigators identified a juvenile suspect who possessed a digital wallet containing substantial funds.
Investigations established that the juvenile had links to members of international networks involved in digital wallet theft.
Police said his activities were connected to operations managed through communication channels spanning several countries.
Evidence also indicated that he played a role in laundering funds through virtual assets on behalf of people involved in fraud, hacking and online extortion.
Further monitoring and analysis enabled investigators to identify a person who connected the criminal networks.
Police linked the suspect to assault, kidnapping, digital wallet theft and the possession and sale of compromised data through the dark web.
Investigators also identified connections between the suspect and groups involved in hacking, cyber extortion and internet fraud.
Sharjah Police foil plot to kidnap cryptocurrency wallet owners
Brigadier Belhai said investigators uncovered a plan to kidnap people who owned multiple cryptocurrency wallets.
The suspect allegedly intended to carry out the kidnappings in collaboration with foreign nationals to obtain access to the victims’ digital assets.
Police monitored the suspect’s behaviour and movements before developing an arrest plan.
The suspect was arrested before the planned kidnappings could take place, preventing the group from carrying out the attacks.
Further analysis enabled investigators to identify members of the networks, determine their responsibilities and establish the links between their activities.
Criminal network changed security codes every eight hours
Police said the organisation used a communication hub concealed within a social media platform to coordinate its activities.
Members relied on a security code that changed every eight hours to protect their communications and prevent detection.
The organisation had leaders and members assigned responsibilities covering cyberattacks, database theft, data trafficking, phishing, fraud, extortion, violence and money laundering.
Some members stole data, while others prepared it for sale on the dark web or used it to target victims through fraud schemes.
Other members managed cryptocurrency wallets, received proceeds from victims and transferred the funds through channels designed to conceal their origins.
Investigators examined hundreds of items of digital evidence, analysed patterns and connected financial transactions to establish the relationships between suspects.
Suspects brought back from abroad as international investigation expands
Police said the operation involved coordination with authorities in the UAE and abroad to track suspects, examine financial activity and recover assets.
The investigation resulted in the arrest and return of suspects from other countries, including people identified as leaders of the networks.
Officers followed digital evidence, analysed wallet transactions and investigated links between individuals operating across borders.
The investigation also uncovered connections between suspects involved in cybercrime and groups associated with violence and threats.
Brigadier Belhai credited the Digital Crime Department’s investigators for identifying the networks’ structure, tracing their activities and linking digital evidence with financial transactions.
Lt Gen bin Amer said the operation demonstrated the importance of coordination between police, prosecutors and security authorities in addressing crimes committed through digital platforms. He reiterated that individuals using technology to commit crimes or threaten the security of society would be pursued and brought to justice.
The authorities said protecting companies, institutions and individuals from cybercrime, financial fraud and money laundering remained a priority for law enforcement agencies in the UAE.
