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 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.

Fraud Lawyers in Dubai | Faris Raian & Ekaterina Butseva 🇦🇪

Criminal Law · Dubai

When you or a family member is detained in Dubai, every hour matters. Bail is not automatic under UAE law, and applying the right way, at the right stage, makes the biggest difference to how quickly someone is released. Our bail lawyers in Dubai handle bail applications at the police station, the Public Prosecution and the criminal court, for residents, expats and visitors, in five languages.

All Fraud Types Covered

Bank, investment, mortgage, online and health care fraud

20+ years

handling fraud and scam cases in the UAE

Awar-winning

Recognised criminal law practice in the UAE

6 Languages

Arabic, English, Russian, Urdu, Turkish and Hindi and Hindi

Quick Answer

If you lost money to a fraud or a scam in Dubai, report it immediately through Dubai Police eCrime, the Dubai Police app, or by calling your bank to freeze the transaction. The sooner you act, the higher your chance of recovering your money.

After you report the incident, a lawyer can help you file a formal complaint with the Public Prosecution, follow up on the investigation and pursue a civil claim to recover your funds.

In some cases, yes. If your bank is notified quickly, a transfer can sometimes be stopped or reversed. Otherwise, recovery usually depends on a criminal case leading to a compensation order, or a separate civil claim against the person responsible.

Yes. Online fraud, including phishing, fake websites and fake investment platforms, is a criminal offense under the UAE Cybercrime Law and can lead to imprisonment and heavy fines for the person responsible.

A fraud complaint is a criminal case handled by the police and the Public Prosecution, and can lead to prison time for the offender. A civil case is a separate claim to recover your money, and the two can often be pursued at the same time.

Start Here

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

I lost money to an online scam and I do not know how to get it back.

My bank account was used for a fraud I did not commit.

I invested money in a scheme that turned out to be fake.

Someone used my identity or documents to commit fraud.

I was misled into signing a mortgage or property deal.

I have been accused of fraud and I need to defend myself.

My business partner or an employee committed fraud against my company.

I paid for a service or product online and it turned out to be a scam.

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

Why Leaders Advocates

We Handle Both Victims and the Accused.

Whether you lost money to a scam or you are facing a fraud accusation yourself, we understand both sides of a fraud case and build your claim or your defense around it.

We Understand Bank, Online and Investment Fraud.

Fraud today happens through banks, apps, social media and fake investment platforms. We keep up with how these scams work, so we can build a strong case around the exact method used against you.

Fast Action to Protect Your Money.

In fraud cases, speed decides whether money can be recovered. We move quickly to help freeze accounts, file reports and protect your position from day one.

We Speak Your Language.

Our lawyers speak Arabic, English, Russian, Urdu, Turkish and Hindi and Hindi. Explaining a fraud case is stressful enough without a language barrier standing in the way.

Award Winning Legal Practice.

Leaders Advocates has been recognised for excellence in criminal law in the UAE. When you hire us, you are working with a firm that clients trust in urgent situations.

What We Handle

Every case gets a named lawyer from day one.

Filing a Fraud Complaint in Dubai

If you have lost money to fraud or a scam, we prepare and file your complaint with Dubai Police and the Public Prosecution, gather the evidence needed to support your case, and follow up until the matter is resolved.

Defending Against a Fraud Accusation

If you have been accused of fraud, we review the evidence against you, challenge weak or unclear claims, and represent you at every stage, from police questioning to the final court hearing.

Fraud Asset Recovery and Civil Claims

Winning a criminal case does not always return your money. We pursue civil claims and asset recovery action to help you get back what you lost, wherever the law allows it.

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Understanding The Law

How UAE Law Defines Fraud

Fraud in the UAE is mainly covered under Federal Decree Law No. 31 of 2021, the Penal Code. Under Article 399, fraud happens when someone uses a false name, a false capacity, or a dishonest method to trick another person into handing over money, property or a document. A conviction can lead to imprisonment and a fine, with harsher penalties when the fraud involves public funds or a repeat offender.

Fraud Committed Online and Through Technology

Many fraud and scam cases in Dubai now happen through phones, apps and social media. The UAE Cybercrime Law, Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021, covers online fraud, phishing and fake websites used to steal money or personal information, and allows for even stricter penalties than ordinary fraud cases.

Have a question about your fraud case and which law applies to it? Contact our fraud lawyers in Dubai. We explain it clearly in the first consultation.

The Process

Initial Consultation

We Assess

We review what happened, whether a crime took place, and what evidence you already have. About one hour.

Evidence Collection

We Prepare

We gather messages, transfers, documents and any other proof needed to support your complaint or your defense.

Filing the Complaint

We Prepare and Submit

We file your report with Dubai Police or the relevant authority, and prepare the formal complaint for the Public Prosecution.

Investigation and Prosecution

We Follow Up

We stay in contact with the investigating officer and the prosecution, and respond quickly to any request for more information.

Court Hearings

We Represent You

If the case goes to court, we attend every hearing and present the evidence on your behalf, whether you are the victim or the accused.

Recovery and Resolution

We Finalize

Once the case concludes, we pursue any compensation order or civil claim needed to help recover your money.

REPORTING FRAUD

Dubai Police eCrime

The Dubai Police eCrime platform is the fastest way to report fraud and online scams in Dubai. You can file a report through the Dubai Police website or app without visiting a police station, and attach messages, screenshots or documents as evidence. For serious or urgent cases, especially where money can still be traced or frozen, a lawyer can help you file the strongest possible report from the very first step.

Public Prosecution

For cases that need a formal criminal complaint, a report can be filed directly with the Public Prosecution. This is often the right route for larger fraud cases, business disputes involving fraud, or cases where the police stage has already been completed.

Your Bank or the Central Bank

If the fraud involves your bank account or a card, contact your bank immediately to freeze the transaction, alongside filing a police report. For unresolved disputes with a bank, a complaint can also be raised with the UAE Central Bank.

CASES WE HANDLE

Bank and Credit Card Fraud

Unauthorised transactions, cloned cards and misuse of banking details. We help victims report the fraud correctly and push banks to investigate.

Investment and Trading Scheme Fraud

Fake trading platforms, unlicensed investment schemes and promised returns that never arrive. We help victims trace the fraud and pursue their money.

Online and Social Media Scams

Fake sellers, phishing messages and social media scams that trick people into paying or sharing personal details. We help you report these under UAE cybercrime law.

Mortgage and Property Fraud

Misleading property or mortgage deals, false documents and hidden terms used to push through a sale. We review the deal and represent buyers or sellers affected.

Health Care and Insurance Fraud

False claims, billing for treatment never given, or misuse of insurance information. We represent victims and providers facing this type of case.

CRITICAL SECTION

Fraud is a criminal offense in the UAE and can lead to imprisonment, not just a fine.
A fraud case usually needs a real dishonest act, not just a broken promise, for example a fake document, a fake website or a false paper trail.
Reporting a fraud case quickly gives you a much better chance of freezing the money before it disappears.
Fraud committed using a phone, app or website can be prosecuted under the UAE Cybercrime Law, which allows for tougher penalties.
You can pursue a criminal complaint and a separate civil claim for your money at the same time.
Being accused of fraud does not mean you are guilty, a genuine business or contract dispute is often not a criminal case at all.

Not sure whether your situation is a criminal fraud case or a civil dispute? Contact our fraud lawyers in Dubai. We explain it clearly and tell you exactly what to do next.

FOR VICTIMS

Report the fraud as soon as you notice it. Waiting even a few days can reduce the chance of recovering your money.

Keep every message, email, receipt and bank statement related to the fraud. These become the evidence in your case.

Contact your bank immediately if money was taken from your account, some transfers can still be stopped or reversed if you act fast.

You do not need to know the legal terms for your case. A lawyer can turn what happened to you into a formal complaint.

A fraud case can move through the police, the Public Prosecution and the court, alongside a separate civil claim for your money.

If a company or individual scammed you and later disappears or claims to have no money, a lawyer can advise you on realistic recovery options.

ACCUSED OF FRAUD

Being Wrongly Accused of Fraud

A genuine business disagreement, a late payment or a misunderstanding is not automatically fraud. The law requires a real intent to deceive, not just a broken promise. We build your defense around this difference from day one.

Fraud Investigation While You Are Abroad

If a fraud case has been filed against you while you are outside the UAE, you may face a travel ban or an arrest on return. We can act on your behalf early, before you travel back, to understand and manage the situation.

Fraud Charges Linked to a Business Deal

Many fraud accusations come out of failed business deals or partnerships. We separate what is a civil contract dispute from what is a genuine criminal case, and represent you accordingly.

Fraud Charges Involving a Company

If your company or one of your employees has been accused of fraud, we advise on the company’s exposure, represent the business and any individuals involved, and work to protect your operations while the case continues.

Client Experience

FAQs

What should I do if I have been scammed in Dubai?

Report it right away through the Dubai Police eCrime platform or the Dubai Police app, and contact your bank if money was taken from your account. Keep every message, receipt and screenshot related to the scam, since these become the evidence in your case.

Can I get my money back after online fraud in the UAE?

It depends on how quickly you act and where the money went. If your bank is notified fast, a transfer can sometimes be stopped or reversed. Otherwise, recovery usually comes through a criminal case leading to a compensation order, or a separate civil claim.

How long does a fraud case take in Dubai courts?

This depends on the complexity of the case and how much evidence is involved. A simple bank fraud complaint can move faster than a case involving a company, an investment scheme, or evidence based abroad.

Is it a crime to scam someone online in the UAE?

Yes. Online fraud is a criminal offense under the UAE Cybercrime Law, and it applies to phishing, fake websites and fake investment platforms used to trick people into paying money.

What is the punishment for fraud in Dubai?

Under the UAE Penal Code, fraud can lead to imprisonment and a fine. The exact punishment depends on the amount involved, whether public funds were affected and whether technology or the internet was used to carry out the fraud.

Can I be accused of fraud over what is really a business dispute?

Fraud requires proof that someone was genuinely deceived through a false claim or a fake document, not just a broken promise or a late payment. A lawyer can help show whether your situation is a criminal matter or a civil dispute.

What should I do if someone is threatening to file a false fraud complaint against me?

Do not ignore it. Gather any evidence that shows the real nature of your dealings with that person, and speak to a lawyer immediately so you are prepared if a complaint is filed.

Can I file both a criminal complaint and a civil case for the same fraud?

Yes. A criminal complaint focuses on punishing the offender, while a civil case focuses on recovering your money. Many clients pursue both at the same time.

Whether you have lost money to a scam, discovered fraud on your account, or are facing a fraud accusation yourself, our fraud lawyers in Dubai are ready to help. Fraud cases move fast, and the sooner you act, the better your chances. Your consultation is completely confidential. Contact us today.