⚖️ Cybercrime in Qena | Types, Penalties and Legal Procedures – Counselor Mohamed Farouk Explains
Cybercrime is no longer limited to hacking accounts or stealing data. It now includes many unlawful activities carried out through the internet, social media platforms and electronic devices, including cyber extortion, online defamation, privacy violations, electronic fraud, identity impersonation, and unauthorized access to accounts and data. With the widespread use of social media in Qena and across Egypt, it has become increasingly important to understand when online conduct may constitute a crime and what legal steps can be taken when a person becomes a victim of cybercrime.
Egyptian law regulates several forms of these offenses, most notably Law No. 175 of 2018 on Combating Information Technology Crimes, which establishes provisions concerning the use of information technology, privacy violations, data and account violations, and other offenses committed through electronic means.
When a person is exposed to cyber extortion, online defamation, electronic fraud or unauthorized access to an account, taking the correct steps from the beginning can be important for preserving evidence and determining the appropriate legal procedures.
📍 Counselor Mohamed Farouk Mahmoud El-Khatib Law Office in Qena
More than 20 years of legal experience in the service of justice
Counselor Mohamed Farouk Mahmoud El-Khatib Law Office
Attorney at the Court of Cassation and Supreme Constitutional Court – Member of the Egyptian Bar Association
The office provides comprehensive legal services across various branches of Egyptian law, with careful attention to each individual case, appropriate legal consultation, and strict confidentiality regarding clients' information and case details.
📍 Address:
Qena – Al-Maabar – State Security Tower – 2nd Floor – next to the Administrative Control Authority.
📞 Contact: 01003878659
💬 WhatsApp: 01113054308
🌐 Official Website: mfarouklawyer.com
💻 What Is Cybercrime?
Cybercrime refers to unlawful acts committed through computers, smartphones, information networks, the internet or other information technology systems. Cybercrimes vary according to the conduct involved and the legal right or interest affected by the offense.
A cybercrime may involve an electronic account, personal data, money, private photographs and information, or content published through social media platforms.
Therefore, determining whether an incident constitutes a cybercrime does not depend solely on the fact that it occurred online. The legal assessment depends on the nature of the conduct, the data involved, the consequences resulting from the act, and the applicable legal provisions.
Law No. 175 of 2018 on Combating Information Technology Crimes is one of the most important Egyptian laws regulating this field.
⚠️ What Are the Most Common Types of Cybercrime?
There are several forms of crimes that may be committed through information technology. The most common examples include:
1️⃣ Cyber Extortion
Cyber extortion occurs when a person uses information, photographs, conversations or other digital materials to pressure another person into performing a particular act, refraining from an act, or providing money or another benefit.
Such incidents should be handled carefully, particularly when dealing with conversations, photographs, messages, links and electronic accounts connected to the incident.
2️⃣ Online Defamation
Some cybercrime cases involve publishing information, photographs or other online content in a manner that may affect another person's privacy or reputation.
Egyptian information technology legislation addresses certain forms of interference with private life and the publication of information, news or photographs that violate a person's privacy without consent.
3️⃣ Online Insult and Defamation
Using social media platforms or messaging applications to publish offensive statements may result in legal liability depending on the content, circumstances surrounding the incident and the applicable legal provisions.
For this reason, it is not sufficient to simply describe an incident as an "offensive Facebook post" or an "insulting comment." The actual content, method of publication and surrounding circumstances must be examined.
4️⃣ Electronic Fraud and Online Scams
Online fraud may take several forms, including creating fake accounts or pages, or using electronic methods to deceive a victim with false information for the purpose of obtaining money, personal data or other benefits.
Depending on how the offense was committed, provisions of the Information Technology Crimes Law may apply alongside provisions of other Egyptian laws.
5️⃣ Account Hacking
Unauthorized access to another person's account, system or data may constitute a cybercrime depending on the circumstances, the method of access and the actions taken after gaining access.
Technical evidence can be particularly important in such cases because it may help establish how the incident occurred and identify the electronic tools or accounts associated with it.
6️⃣ Online Identity Impersonation
A person may use another individual's name, personal information or photographs to create an account or page, or communicate with others while pretending to be the actual identity holder.
Legal liability depends on the details of each incident, the purpose for which the information was used and the consequences resulting from the conduct.
⚖️ What Is the Penalty for Cybercrime in Egypt?
There is no single penalty applicable to all cybercrimes. Crimes involving technology differ in their nature, legal elements and the specific provisions that apply to each case.
Law No. 175 of 2018 establishes several offenses and penalties related to information technology. These include certain offenses involving violations of private life, family principles and values, sending electronic messages repeatedly without consent, and publishing information or photographs that violate a person's privacy without consent.
Under Article 25, certain acts involving violations of family principles or values, infringement of the sanctity of private life, or publishing information, news or photographs that violate privacy may be punishable by imprisonment for a period of not less than six months and a fine ranging from EGP 50,000 to EGP 100,000, or either penalty, subject to the specific legal requirements and circumstances of the case.
For this reason, it is important not to rely on a general statement about the penalty for cybercrime. The specific offense and applicable legal provision must first be identified.
📱 What Should You Do If You Are a Victim of Cyber Extortion?
If you are subjected to cyber extortion or online threats, it is important to avoid actions that could result in the loss or destruction of evidence.
Important practical steps may include:
- Preserve all conversations and messages related to the incident.
- Keep clear screenshots of the relevant content.
- Do not delete the account or conversations before preserving the necessary evidence.
- Save usernames, account names and page links whenever possible.
- Keep phone numbers and email addresses used in the incident.
- Avoid entering into risky or unconsidered negotiations with the person carrying out the extortion.
- Do not send additional money or personal information without obtaining appropriate legal advice.
- Seek legal consultation to determine the appropriate next step and official procedure.
The appropriate legal procedure varies according to the nature of the offense, the available evidence and the competent authorities.
📸 Can Screenshots Be Used as Evidence in a Cybercrime Case?
Screenshots, conversations, messages, links and other digital data may constitute important elements of evidence in cybercrime cases. However, their evidentiary value depends on the circumstances of each case and the legal and technical procedures through which the evidence was obtained and examined.
For this reason, it is generally advisable to preserve digital materials in their original form without modifying or deleting them, and to consult an attorney who can review the incident and determine which evidence should be preserved and what legal procedures may be available.
🚨 What Should You Do If Your Account Is Hacked?
When unauthorized access to an electronic account is discovered, the situation should be handled quickly and carefully.
The first steps may include securing the account, changing passwords and using the official account recovery procedures provided by the relevant platform. It is also important to preserve any notifications, messages or information associated
