Oman Court Sentences Two to 7 Years for Trafficking Children Lured Through Online Game

Fleeing family abuse only to fall into the trap of human trafficking: The story of two children lured through an online game

The court sentenced two defendants to seven years in prison and fined each of them 10,000 riyals after they lured two runaway children through an electronic game and sexually exploited them in exchange for money.

Muscat:  A case involving two minors who left their family home and were subsequently lured through an electronic game and subjected to exploitation has highlighted the risks of online grooming and the importance of protecting children from abuse and human trafficking.

Details of the case were published in the Public Prosecution’s Society and Law magazine, which examined the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the two children, aged 14 and 16, and the subsequent judicial proceedings.

The case dates back approximately five years, when the competent security authorities received a report concerning the disappearance of the two children after they left their family home in one of the Sultanate of Oman’s governorates.

Search and investigation operations were launched, leading to the identification and apprehension of a number of individuals connected to the case.

According to the children’s statements during the investigation, their decision to leave home was motivated by what they described as continued mistreatment and abuse within the family environment. The circumstances left them seeking safety and support outside the home, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

The case then moved into the digital space, where the two children came into contact with the first defendant through an electronic game. The defendant reportedly developed a relationship of trust with them before arranging for them to leave Muscat Governorate and travel to another location.

Upon their arrival, the defendant arranged their transportation and accommodation and instructed them to dispose of their mobile phone SIM cards. The children were subsequently housed in a room attached to the defendant’s family residence.

According to the case details, the provision of accommodation, food and daily necessities was used as part of a process that isolated the children from their surroundings and enabled their continued exploitation.

The defendant subsequently sexually exploited the two children and arranged for them to meet other individuals in exchange for money. Telephone calls and social media applications were reportedly used to coordinate the exploitation, while the first defendant managed the arrangements and received the proceeds.

The competent authorities eventually identified the individuals involved, arrested them and referred the case to the judiciary.

The court convicted the first and second defendants of human trafficking through the sexual exploitation of children. Each was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined OMR 10,000.

The second defendant was also convicted of indecent assault of a child and sentenced to an additional five years in prison and a fine of OMR 5,000, with the penalties merged and the more severe penalty enforced.

The third, fourth and fifth defendants were convicted of indecent assault of a child and contributing to the child’s delinquency. Each received a one-year prison sentence and a fine of OMR 5,000.

The case highlights the growing risks children may face in digital environments, particularly when online games and social media are used to establish relationships of trust before grooming and exploitation.

Oman’s Child Law, issued under Royal Decree No. 22/2014, provides legal protections covering children’s civil, health, social, educational, cultural and economic rights, as well as protection against violence, abuse and exploitation. Its executive regulations were subsequently issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 125/2019.

The case also underscores the importance of strengthening family, community and institutional protection mechanisms as children’s exposure to digital platforms continues to increase. Greater awareness of online grooming, responsible digital supervision and early intervention can help reduce children’s vulnerability to exploitation.

The Public Prosecution’s Society and Law magazine continues to highlight judicial cases and legal issues concerning society, offering insights into the application of Omani law and the protection of individual and community rights.