For decades, Oman has cultivated a reputation as one of the safest and most stable countries in the Middle East. Nestled on the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by the volatile Strait of Hormuz and vast deserts that stretch into Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Oman boasts remarkable internal security. Its capital, Muscat, routinely features in international safety indices, recently ranked 5th globally among 382 cities in the 2025 Numbeo Safety Index—a testament to its low crime rates and well-maintained public order.(1) 

Oman’s stability however, is — like many others — under increasing pressure from a combination of economic, technological, and regional security challenges that are reshaping criminal behaviours that directly impact Oman and its people. Recent data from the Omani Public Prosecution reveals a sharp rise in criminal activity, particularly in the Muscat Governorate, which alone recorded over 20,000 criminal cases in 2024. While much of this spike can be attributed to non-violent offences, it nonetheless signals a trend that demands closer scrutiny. Neighbouring regions such as North Al Batinah and Dhofar have also reported several thousand cases each, underscoring that this is not a phenomenon confined to the capital.(2) Officials have also flagged a growing number of financial crimes that intersect with broader issues of corruption and money laundering. In 2024, the Public Prosecution opened nearly 200 cases related to the misuse of public funds and illicit financial activities, many of which were rooted in fraud and unauthorised transactions. These offences, while less visible than violent crime, have a corrosive effect on public trust and institutional integrity.(3)

Technology, while a boon for modernisation, has become a double-edged sword. Cybercrime is on the rise, with the number of reported incidents increasing year over year. Financial fraud conducted through online platforms, the illegal use of personal data, and digital harassment are all concerns being handled by the Omani judiciary. In 2023, the prosecution handled 140 cybercrime cases—a modest figure by global standards, but a marked increase from the previous year and a sign of things to come as Oman becomes more digitally integrated.(4) Perhaps the most jarring departure from Oman’s long-standing record of domestic peace came On 17 July 2024, when an armed assailant launched an attack on a mosque in Muscat, killing six and injuring several others.(5) The Islamic State quickly claimed responsibility. While this remains an isolated incident, it signalled a potential shift in the internal threat environment—the kind of act Oman has historically managed to avoid, even as regional neighbours have struggled with such forms of political violence. 

In response, Omani authorities have undertaken a multi-layered strategy to strengthen crime prevention mechanisms and this approach marks one of the more significant innovations that has come from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the judicial system. The Public Prosecution now employs AI to streamline case assessments and improve decision-making efficiency, achieving an impressive 97.9% case completion rate in 2024.(6) This technology is being used not only to enhance administrative efficiency but also to flag complex patterns in financial and cybercrime that would be difficult to detect manually. At the same time, Oman is investing in human capital to address sensitive areas of criminal justice. 

In areas like labour and immigration, authorities have intensified oversight of working conditions, contract compliance, and illegal recruitment practices. These efforts are essential in a country where expatriate workers make up a large portion of the population, often vulnerable to exploitation or caught in bureaucratic limbo. Beyond institutional reforms, Oman has leaned into community awareness campaigns designed to reinforce civic responsibility and educate citizens on how to report and prevent crime. These campaigns reflect an understanding that public engagement is a critical component of long-term crime prevention. Moreover, Oman continues to coordinate with regional and international partners in areas like counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering, particularly through financial intelligence networks and cybersecurity alliances. While the country has managed to insulate itself from the chaos that has swallowed parts of the Middle East, its leadership is acutely aware that its geographic position makes it vulnerable to transnational threats. In the broader regional context, Oman ranks relatively low in terms of overall crime, holding position 132 out of 193 countries on the Global Crime Index. It is a reassuring statistic, but one that risks obscuring the undercurrents of change now shaping the country’s internal security environment.(7)

The challenges Oman faces today are less about the fear of violence and more about the erosion of trust and social cohesion through acts of fraud, cyber intrusions, and economic crimes. The coming years will test whether Oman can continue to evolve its institutions fast enough to stay ahead of the threats that are slowly, but surely, becoming more complex. This is especially true when it comes to cyber crimes since criminals do not need to be located on the physical territory of Oman and yet have the ability to wreck havoc with citizens lives through identity theft and subsequent financial crimes. While the judiciary certainly has its hands full in trying to prevent crime and punish perpetrators, Oman has also stepped up its cooperation with law enforcement organisations on the regional and international levels in order to contribute to combatting the globalisation of crime and the syndicates responsible for its proliferation.