What should I do if I am arrested in Dubai?

Stay calm and do not resist. You have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. Do not sign any documents or make any statements before speaking to a criminal defense lawyer. Call us immediately; we will tell you exactly what to do from that moment.

How fast can a criminal defense lawyer reach me in Dubai?

Our team is available now. When you call or WhatsApp us, we respond immediately. For urgent situations, like arrest, police questioning, or an imminent hearing, we treat your case as a priority from the first contact.

What happens at Dubai criminal court?

Criminal cases in Dubai start at the Public Prosecution stage. The prosecution decides whether to send the case to the Court of First Instance. If convicted, you can appeal to the Court of Appeal and then the Court of Cassation. Each stage has deadlines. Having a lawyer from the start gives you the best chance at every stage.

Can I be deported after a criminal conviction in Dubai?

Yes. A criminal conviction in Dubai can result in deportation and a re-entry ban, especially for expats. This makes early legal intervention critical. The sooner you involve a criminal defense lawyer, the more options you have to prevent this outcome.

What is the difference between criminal defense and criminal litigation?

Criminal defense is the work done to protect your rights and build your case before and during trial. Criminal litigation refers specifically to court proceedings. Our team handles both. We defend you from the moment of arrest and represent you in court if the case goes that far.

Can you handle a criminal case if my family member is arrested and I am outside Dubai?

Yes. We work with family members who are abroad and need to help a loved one facing criminal charges in Dubai. We can act on your behalf, keep you fully informed, and represent your family member in all court proceedings, you do not need to be in Dubai yourself.

Does Leaders Advocates handle criminal cases for expats and non-Arabic speakers?

Yes. Our criminal defense team speaks Arabic, English, Russian, Urdu, Turkish and Hindi. We have handled criminal cases for clients from across Europe, South Asia, Russia, and the Arab world. You do not need to speak Arabic to get strong legal representation in Dubai criminal courts.

Money Laundering Lawyers in Dubai

Money Laundering Law · Dubai

Money laundering is treated as one of the most serious financial crimes in the UAE, and the law now covers crypto and digital transactions directly, not just cash. Whether you are under investigation, your bank account has been frozen, your business needs anti money laundering compliance support, or you are facing a charge linked to cryptocurrency, you need experienced money laundering lawyers in Dubai acting quickly. Our team defends individuals and companies in AML cases across the UAE, in five languages.

AML Cases Covered

Investigations, crypto cases, compliance and asset freezes

20+ years

handling money laundering and financial crime cases in the UAE

Award-winning

Recognised financial crime and dispute law firm

Multilingual

Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi, Urdu and Turkish

QUICK ANSWER

Money laundering in the UAE is governed by Federal Decree Law No. 10 of 2025, a new law that took effect in October 2025 and replaced the older 2018 AML law. It covers hiding, converting or moving money that came from criminal activity to make it look legitimate, and it now explicitly covers digital systems, cryptocurrency and virtual assets, not just cash and bank transfers.

Money laundering is always treated as its own separate crime. This means a person can be punished for money laundering in addition to whatever crime the money came from, which often leads to much heavier overall penalties than many people expect.

UAE law treats money laundering as an independent offense, separate from whatever crime generated the money in the first place. This means a person accused of fraud or another financial crime can also be charged with money laundering on top of it, and being cleared of the original crime does not automatically clear the money laundering charge. This is one of the main reasons these cases need a lawyer who understands both sides of the case, not just one.

Standard money laundering can lead to one to ten years in prison and a fine of at least AED 100,000, up to AED 5,000,000 or the value of the laundered funds, whichever is higher. Cases involving aggravating circumstances can lead to life imprisonment or ten or more years in prison, with fines between AED 300,000 and AED 10,000,000.

Yes. The new AML law explicitly covers virtual assets and digital systems. Promoting or dealing in completely anonymous virtual assets is itself a separate offense, carrying at least three months in prison and a fine of at least AED 50,000.

Yes. A company can face serious penalties for compliance failures, such as weak reporting systems or missing due diligence checks, even if no one is convicted of laundering money directly.

IS THIS YOUR SITUATION?

Money laundering and AML cases come in many forms. Tell us which one matches your situation, and we will tell you exactly what you need to do.

I am under investigation for money laundering.

My bank account has been frozen over a suspicious transaction report.

My business is facing an anti money laundering compliance review.

I have been accused of money laundering linked to cryptocurrency.

I need help setting up anti money laundering compliance for my company.

I am an executive facing personal liability for my company's AML failure.

My assets have been frozen as part of a money laundering case.

I want a second opinion on a money laundering charge I am already facing.

If any of these match your situation, contact our money laundering lawyers in Dubai today. Your consultation is completely confidential.

WHY LEADERS ADVOCATES

We Understand Complex Financial Investigations.

Money laundering cases often involve bank records, company accounts and transaction trails across more than one country. We work through this evidence carefully to build a case that stands up under UAE law.

We Handle Crypto and Digital Asset Cases.

As UAE law now covers virtual assets directly, we stay current on how cryptocurrency and digital transactions are treated in money laundering cases, so your defense reflects the latest legal framework.

We Defend Both Individuals and Companies.

Whether you are personally accused, or your company is facing a compliance review or investigation, we represent your interests and explain exactly what it means for you.

We Speak Your Language.

Our lawyers speak Arabic, English, Russian, Urdu and Turkish. A money laundering case is stressful enough without a language barrier.

Award Winning Legal Practice.

Leaders Advocates has been recognised for excellence in financial crime and dispute law in the UAE. When you hire us, you are working with a firm that clients trust with serious financial matters.

CRITICAL SECTION

Every case gets a named lawyer from day one.

Money Laundering Investigations

Cases where a person or business is being investigated over the source of funds, often triggered by a suspicious transaction report filed by a bank or financial institution.

Money Laundering Involving Cryptocurrency

Cases involving the use of digital currency, crypto exchanges or anonymous virtual assets to move or disguise funds, now explicitly covered under UAE AML law.

Beneficial Ownership and Disclosure Cases

Cases involving incorrect or misleading information about who actually owns or controls a company, which is treated as a separate offense under the law.

Compliance Failures and Regulatory Reviews

Cases where a business is reviewed for weak AML systems, missing due diligence checks or failure to report suspicious activity, even without a direct money laundering charge.

Asset Freezing and Confiscation Cases

Cases involving a frozen bank account or other assets linked to a money laundering investigation, before any final conviction has taken place.

Aggravated Money Laundering Cases

Cases involving larger sums, organised schemes or repeat conduct, which can carry life imprisonment or ten or more years in prison under the new law.

20+ years

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Arabic

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Turkish

UNDERSTANDING MONEY LAUNDERING LAW IN DUBAI

How UAE Law Defines Money Laundering

Money laundering in the UAE is now governed by Federal Decree Law No. 10 of 2025, which took effect in October 2025 and replaced the earlier Federal Decree Law No. 20 of 2018. The law defines money laundering as acquiring, possessing, using, converting or moving funds known to come from criminal activity, and it now explicitly covers digital systems, virtual assets and cryptographic technologies.

Penalties for Money Laundering in the UAE

Standard money laundering carries one to ten years in prison and a fine of at least AED 100,000, up to AED 5,000,000 or the value of the funds involved, whichever is higher. Cases with aggravating circumstances can lead to life imprisonment or ten or more years in prison, with fines between AED 300,000 and AED 10,000,000. Dealing in completely anonymous virtual assets carries its own separate penalty of at least three months in prison and a fine of at least AED 50,000.

Have a question about your money laundering case and which penalties may apply? Contact our lawyers in Dubai. We explain it clearly in the first consultation.

WHAT WE HANDLE

Defending Against a Money Laundering Charge

If you have been accused of money laundering, we review the evidence against you, challenge weak or unclear claims, and represent you from the first interview through to the final court hearing.

Anti Money Laundering Compliance Advisory

We help businesses build and strengthen their AML compliance programs, including reporting procedures, due diligence checks and staff training, to reduce the risk of a future investigation.

Asset Freeze and Recovery

If your bank account or other assets have been frozen as part of an AML case, we work to understand why, challenge the freeze where possible, and pursue recovery once the matter is resolved.

CRITICAL SECTION

Money laundering is treated as an independent crime, so a person can be punished for it even alongside another charge.
The law now explicitly covers digital assets, cryptocurrency and online transfers, not just cash.
Dealing in a completely anonymous virtual asset is itself a separate offense under the new law.
A business, not only an individual, can face serious penalties for an AML compliance failure.
Bank accounts and other assets can be frozen early in an investigation, before any formal conviction.
Giving false information about who really owns or controls a company is a separate offense under UAE law.

Not sure how serious your situation is under the new AML law? Contact our lawyers in Dubai. We assess your case and tell you clearly what to expect.

FOR INDIVIDUALS

An executive or manager can face personal liability for a company’s AML failures, not just the company itself.
A frozen bank account during an investigation does not always mean a conviction is coming, but it does need an urgent response.
A money laundering conviction can lead to deportation for expats, in addition to any prison sentence or fine.
Receiving money from a family member or business partner without knowing its source can still raise questions that need a clear legal response.
You have the right to a lawyer and the right to an interpreter during questioning and court proceedings.
Acting quickly and transparently with a lawyer’s guidance generally leads to a better outcome than waiting.

Can I be investigated for money laundering just because of a large bank transfer? A large or unusual transfer can trigger a suspicious transaction report from your bank, which can lead to a review or investigation. This does not mean you have done anything wrong, but it is important to respond to any questions through a lawyer.

Client Experience

FAQS

What is the punishment for money laundering in the UAE?

Standard money laundering carries one to ten years in prison and a fine of at least AED 100,000, up to AED 5,000,000 or the value of the funds involved, whichever is higher. Aggravated cases can lead to life imprisonment or ten or more years in prison.

Is money laundering through cryptocurrency illegal in the UAE?

Yes. The new UAE AML law explicitly covers virtual assets and digital systems, and dealing in completely anonymous virtual assets is itself a separate offense with its own penalty.

What is the difference between money laundering and the original crime that created the money?

UAE law treats money laundering as an independent offense. This means a person can be punished for money laundering in addition to the original crime, such as fraud or embezzlement, rather than the two being treated as one charge.

Can my bank account be frozen without me being convicted of anything?

Yes. A bank or authority can freeze an account during an investigation, based on a suspicious transaction report, well before any conviction takes place.

Can a company be punished for money laundering even if no one is personally convicted?

Yes. A company can face serious penalties for weak AML compliance, such as poor reporting systems or missing checks, separately from any individual conviction.

Can an employee or executive go to jail for their company's money laundering failures?

Yes, in some cases. Directors and senior managers can face personal liability if they were responsible for or aware of compliance failures within the company.

What should I do if my bank asks questions about a large transfer?

Respond honestly and promptly, and consider speaking to a lawyer first if the questions feel serious or unclear, since how you respond can affect whether the matter escalates.

Can I be deported for a money laundering conviction as an expat?

Yes. A money laundering conviction can lead to deportation for a foreign national, in addition to any prison sentence or fine.

What does an anti money laundering compliance lawyer actually do?

An AML compliance lawyer reviews a business’s policies, reporting procedures and due diligence checks, helps fix gaps before they become legal problems, and represents the business if a regulator opens a review.

How is cryptocurrency money laundering investigated in the UAE?

Authorities examine wallet activity, exchange records and transaction trails, similar to traditional banking investigations, but with added attention to how anonymous or hard to trace the assets involved are.

Can old transactions be investigated under the new 2025 AML law?

Generally, the law in force at the time of the activity applies, but ongoing conduct or new transactions after the law changed can fall under the new rules. A lawyer can clarify which law applies to your specific situation.

Do I need a lawyer just for an AML compliance review, or only if I am charged?

It is best to involve a lawyer as soon as a compliance review or investigation begins, not only after charges are filed, since early legal guidance can often prevent the matter from escalating.

Whether you are under investigation, your account has been frozen, your business needs stronger AML compliance, or you are facing a crypto related money laundering charge, our money laundering lawyers in Dubai are ready to help. These cases move fast, and early legal advice makes a real difference. Your consultation is completely confidential. Contact us today.