Financial Crime World

Financial Crimes Soar in Oman, Reveals Public Prosecution Report

Significant Surge in Financial Crimes Recorded in 2023

The Public Prosecution has released a report revealing a significant surge in financial crimes in Oman during 2023. According to the report, the number of cases referred to the Public Prosecution increased by 17.2% compared to 2022, with a total of 37,836 cases recorded.

Highlights from the Report

  • Public money crimes and money laundering cases saw a significant increase, with 105 cases in 2023 compared to 62 cases in 2022.
  • Employees exceeding their duties and negligence in performing their responsibilities were attributed as the main reasons for the rise in financial crimes by Attorney General Nasr bin Khamis al Suwaei.

Oman’s Crime Index

Despite the surge in financial crimes, Oman has been praised for having one of the lowest crime indexes compared to countries with similar economic, geographical, and social profiles.

Governorates with the Highest Number of Cases

  • The Governorate of Muscat recorded the highest number of cases at 16,534, followed by:
    • Al Batinah North Governorate with 5,913 cases
    • Dhofar Governorate with 3,922 cases
  • Al Dhahirah and Al Wusta governorates saw significant increases in cases between 2022-2023, with a 56% and 55% rise respectively.

Decrease in Homicide Cases

The report also highlights a decrease in homicide cases, from 13 to 7 cases in 2023.

Increase in Felonies and Registered Defendants

  • Felonies referred to the Public Prosecution increased by 29%, with 1,777 cases recorded compared to 1,378 cases in 2022.
  • The number of registered defendants also saw an increase, reaching 47,667 defendants in 2023 compared to 40,113 in 2022.

Most Common Crimes

The report notes that the most common crimes were: + Bounced cheque crimes with 8,461 cases + Labour law violations + Foreign residency law violations + Consumer protection law violations + Frauds

Public Prosecution’s Efforts to Prevent Crime

The Public Prosecution has emphasized the importance of legal awareness in preventing crime, highlighting an annual plan that includes several programmes implemented in coordination with official and private institutions.