Social Media Account Hacked in the UAE: Where to Report It

Here's where to report in the UAE.

Last checked: 29 October 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this guide.

#Where do I report?

The UAE government portal u.ae lists ways to report cybercrime online: the eCrimes platform on the Ministry of Interior's MoI UAE app, the Dubai Police eCrime website, Abu Dhabi Police's Aman service, and the federal Public Prosecution's My Safe Society app. You can also report to your nearest police station or call the police emergency line. The portal says Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes, in effect since 2 January 2022, covers offences including hacking, invading others' privacy, fake online accounts, and blackmail and extortion.

Dubai Police's Reporting E-Crime service page says the service is free of charge, takes 1 working day, and lets individuals, businesses and government entities file complaints that are referred to the judicial authorities. You'll need the defendant's information and a document proving the e-crime. You can file through the Dubai Police app, website or Smart Police Stations, or call 901. The incident must have happened within the emirate of Dubai, and you sign in with UAE Pass.

Abu Dhabi Police's AMAN FAQ says AMAN receives security information, not criminal reports. To open a police report, go to a police station or use the Ministry of Interior (MoI) app. AMAN is free, keeps the informant's identity confidential, accepts information in Arabic, English and Urdu, and isn't for emergencies, for which you call the police emergency line.

#What should I do first?

1. Recover through the platform first.
2. Save evidence.
3. Report to police.
4. Secure email and phone.

#What Do the Official Help Pages Say?

If you think someone else got in and posted the content, Instagram's If you think your Instagram profile has been hacked page lists the recovery steps. If you got an email from security@mail.instagram.com saying your email was changed, you may be able to undo it with the secure my account option in that message. You can also request a login link from the login screen with Forgot password, and if that fails, request a security code or support from a mobile device.

Instagram's Review recent emails page says you can see recent official Instagram emails from Settings: open Meta Account (or Accounts Center), then Security, then Recent emails. Security and login emails are listed under Security. Instagram says official security messages are only sent to your email address, from @support.facebook.com, @support.instagram.com, @facebookmail.com, @mail.instagram.com or @global.metamail.com, and that Instagram will never contact you about profile security through Direct Messages.

#What common mistakes should I avoid?

• Paying the hacker.
• Skipping the police report for blackmail.
• Not saving evidence.
• Trusting DMs offering recovery.

Instagram's Secure your Instagram account page calls two-factor authentication the single most effective step to protect an account from hackers, because it asks for a code when someone logs in from a device Instagram doesn't recognise. It also recommends a strong, unique password you haven't used elsewhere, avoiding personal details like names and birthdays, and never giving your password to anyone you don't know and trust.

Instagram's View your recent login activity page says you can see devices that recently logged into your account in Settings, under Password and security, then Where you're logged in. Choose your account, then Select devices to log out, pick the devices and tap Log out. In the older Login Activity view, tap This Wasn't Me on any login you don't recognise and follow the steps to reset your password and secure the account.

Meta's Securing your Meta Account with two-factor authentication page says two-factor authentication asks for a code when there's a login attempt from a device Meta doesn't recognise. Turn it on in Accounts Center, under Password and security, then Two-factor authentication. You can choose an authentication app, which Meta recommends, a text message, or WhatsApp. If you lose your phone, a backup code lets you log in, and Meta says you shouldn't tap Trust this device on a public or shared device.

#How do I keep the account safe while I sort this out?

• Never share a login code, password or backup code with anyone, including people who say they work for Meta, the police or a recovery service.
• Make sure the email address and phone number on the account are ones you still control, and remove any you do not recognise.
• Turn on two-factor authentication where the platform offers it, ideally with an authenticator app, and keep your backup codes somewhere offline.
• Log in only from the official app or by typing the address yourself, not from links in messages, comments or ads.
• Keep screenshots of every notice, email and step you take, with dates, in case you need them for a review or a report.
• Make one careful attempt at each official step rather than many rushed ones, because repeated failed attempts can trigger extra checks.

#When It Is Safer to Get Expert Help

Ask for help before you appeal if the account matters to your income, your business or your memories, if you have already had one appeal rejected, or if you cannot tell whether the problem is a bug, a restriction or a hack. That is where most avoidable losses happen.

AwareXone is independent and not affiliated with Meta, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp or Threads. Recovery work is best-effort and the platform makes the final decision.