UAE imposes $11.4m in fines during first half of 2025 on money laundering offenders

Ministry of Economy of Tourism found 1,063 breaches committed by private sector companies during January-June period

The UAE has made significant strides in the fight against financial crime in recent years.

The UAE has imposed fines of more than Dh42 million ($11.4 million) on private sector entities during the first half of 2025 for not complying with money laundering regulations, as the government continues its fight against illicit financing activities.

A total of 1,063 breaches were discovered in the six months through the end of June across four categories, state news agency Wam quoted the Ministry of Economy of Tourism as saying on Thursday.

Companies in the metals and gemstones sector committed 473 breaches, resulting in fines totalling Dh20 million, the ministry said.

Real estate brokerages tallied 495 breaches that merited Dh18.5 million in penalties, while corporate service providers had 95 breaches, which resulted in fines of more than Dh4 million.

The actions are part of the progress made by the ministry in developing its regulatory enforcement system, which is based on “an advanced methodology aimed at ensuring the highest levels of compliance”, said Safia Al Safi, assistant under-secretary for commercial control and governance at the ministry.

The “clear mechanism” for on-site inspections enables a business environment “based on transparency and governance, and to activate proactive oversight tools to address risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing”, she added.

The UAE has made significant strides in the fight against financial crime in recent years.

Effective policies on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism are key to the integrity and stability of the international financial system and the economies of nations, according to the International Monetary Fund.

In September last year, the UAE announced a nationwide action plan aimed at boosting its fight against illicit financial activity by introducing the 2024-27 National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing.

Last year, the government amended its laws on anti-money laundering, and the financing of terrorism and illegal organisations. A National Committee for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations has been formed as a result.

And in a major vote of confidence, the EU earlier this month voted to remove the UAE from its list of countries that pose a high risk for money laundering and terrorist financing.

The Financial Action Task Force, the global body that combats money laundering and terrorism financing, removed the UAE from its “grey list” in February last year after significant progress on reforms.

The Emirates was placed on that list in 2022.

The imposition of administrative penalties primarily aims to “encourage establishments to rectify their situations and improve their internal systems, particularly with regard to implementing due diligence procedures”, Ms Al Safi said.

This in turn would help in “improving the quality of risk assessments and enhancing the reporting of suspicious transactions”, she added.

Record $1.36m fine for company

Meanwhile, the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority on Thursday said it has imposed a record fine of Dh5 million ($1.36 million) on a licensed company for violation of anti-money laundering regulations.

The company, which it did not identify, was found to have engaged in "deceptive practices targeting investors within the UAE by falsely suggesting that the foreign company was licensed by the [SCA], with the intent of misappropriating client funds", the authority said in a statement.

The case has been referred to judicial authorities and underscores the SCA's commitment to transparency and upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance.