UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CFT) Framework

Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established itself as a global leader in fighting financial crimes, including money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Through a combination of dedicated governmental bodies, specialized courts, advanced technologies, and comprehensive legal frameworks, the UAE has taken significant steps to ensure that its financial system remains robust, transparent, and compliant with international standards. This article provides an overview of the UAE’s efforts in tackling money laundering and terrorism financing, including key regulations, specialized courts, and innovative platforms.

The Role of the Anti-Money Laundering Department

In August 2020, the Central Bank of the UAE established a dedicated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Department to address money laundering and counter the financing of terrorism (CFT). The department serves three primary objectives:

Examination of Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs): It ensures that these institutions comply with the UAE’s AML and CFT regulations.
Adherence to Legal Frameworks: The department is responsible for ensuring that the UAE’s AML/CFT laws and regulations are strictly followed by all stakeholders.
Identifying Emerging Risks: The department also focuses on identifying emerging threats and vulnerabilities within the financial sector.

By monitoring financial institutions and financial transactions, the AML department plays a critical role in preventing illicit activities and enhancing the security of the financial system.

Specialized Courts for Money Laundering Crimes

To effectively address financial crimes, the UAE has established specialized courts that focus specifically on money laundering offenses. In November 2020, the Minister of Justice issued a resolution to create federal anti-money laundering courts in the emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah. These courts handle cases related to money laundering and terrorism financing, with distinct circuits for minor, major, and appeal cases.

Furthermore, in Abu Dhabi, a local anti-money laundering court was established under a resolution issued by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. This court aims to enhance the UAE’s capacity to deal with financial crimes and ensure that perpetrators face justice in an efficient manner.

The Legal Framework: Federal Decree No. 20 of 2018

One of the cornerstones of the UAE’s efforts to combat money laundering and terrorism financing is Federal Decree No. 20 of 2018. This decree provides a solid legal framework for addressing these crimes, ensuring that the UAE adheres to international standards and best practices. The decree focuses on:

Combatting Money Laundering: It criminalizes the act of laundering money, including the transfer, concealment, and use of proceeds derived from criminal activities.
Countering Terrorist Financing: The law also targets individuals and organizations involved in financing terrorism, including those who knowingly assist in transferring or hiding terrorist-related funds.

The decree is designed to tackle money laundering independent of the predicate crime, meaning that perpetrators of the underlying offenses are not protected from punishment simply because they committed another crime.

Strengthening Coordination with the Executive Office

In December 2020, the UAE Cabinet formed the Executive Office of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism. This office is tasked with ensuring that the UAE collaborates effectively with international and domestic entities engaged in combating financial crimes. The Executive Office’s activities align with the country’s broader national strategy to curb illicit financial flows and enhance security.

The National Committee for Combating Money Laundering (NAMLCFTC)

The National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations (NAMLCFTC) plays a pivotal role in managing national risks related to money laundering and terrorism financing. Its responsibilities include:

Risk Assessment: The committee works on assessing the national risks associated with these crimes.
International Coordination: It represents the UAE at international forums on AML and CFT, ensuring that the UAE’s efforts are aligned with global standards.
Legislative Proposals: NAMLCFTC proposes regulations to enhance the effectiveness of the UAE’s AML/CFT strategy.

Formed in accordance with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the committee’s mandate has evolved to include combating terrorism financing and illegal organizations, making it a comprehensive body for addressing financial crimes.

Learn more about NAMLCFTC’s activities on the UAE Ministry of Interior’s website.

goAML: A Technological Solution to Combat Financial Crimes

In collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UAE launched the goAML platform, an innovative tool for reporting financial crimes. This platform enables financial entities and designated non-financial businesses to report suspicious transactions, enhancing the country’s ability to identify and respond to illicit activities in real time. The goAML platform helps bolster the UAE’s commitment to combatting money laundering and terrorism financing by ensuring seamless communication between financial institutions and regulatory authorities.

Fawri Tick: Facilitating Rapid Response

Another critical tool in the UAE’s arsenal is Fawri Tick, a smart system designed to prevent financial crimes related to money laundering and terrorism financing. Developed by the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), Fawri Tick allows authorities to respond to financial crimes quickly by integrating data from various government entities. This system ensures that relevant authorities can take necessary actions within hours, significantly improving the UAE’s capacity to address financial crimes swiftly.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal advice regarding anti-money laundering and terrorism financing laws, regulations, or enforcement procedures, please consult a qualified legal professional. The links provided lead to official government websites for reference purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the role of the UAE's Anti-Money Laundering Department?

The Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Department, established by the Central Bank of the UAE in August 2020, focuses on three key objectives:

Examining Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs) to ensure compliance with AML/CFT regulations.
- Enforcing the UAE’s AML/CFT legal framework.
- Identifying threats, vulnerabilities, and risks in the financial sector.
- This department plays a vital role in safeguarding the financial system and maintaining its integrity against illicit activities.

2. What laws govern anti-money laundering in the UAE?

The UAE’s AML legal framework is primarily governed by:
Federal Decree No. 20 of 2018: Focuses on anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and establishing a robust legal framework to support related authorities.
Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2019: Implements the decree law, providing operational guidelines.

These laws comply with international standards set by organizations like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and aim to criminalize money laundering activities, irrespective of the underlying predicate crime.

3. What are the penalties for money laundering in the UAE?

Penalties under Federal Decree No. 20 of 2018 include:
Fines ranging from AED 50,000 to AED 5 million.
- Imprisonment for individuals involved in money laundering activities.
- Potential closure, suspension, or penalties for financial institutions found guilty of enabling money laundering.
- The law underscores that money laundering is treated as a separate offense from the underlying crime.

4. What are the specialized courts for money laundering in the UAE?

The UAE has established specialized courts to handle money laundering cases:
Federal Anti-Money Laundering Courts: Located in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah, these courts have minor, major, and appeal circuits.
Abu Dhabi Anti-Money Laundering Court: Handles cases related to money laundering and tax evasion, strengthening the UAE’s ability to prosecute financial crimes.
These courts ensure that cases are processed efficiently and perpetrators are held accountable.

5. What is the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering (NAMLCFTC)?

NAMLCFTC oversees the UAE’s efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and illegal organizations. Its key roles include:
- Preparing and implementing a national strategy to combat these crimes.
- Assessing national risks related to financial crimes.
- Coordinating with international bodies and ensuring compliance with FATF standards.
- The committee represents the UAE in international forums and continuously updates regulations to enhance effectiveness.

6. What is the goAML platform, and who needs to register?

goAML is an anti-money laundering platform developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and adopted by the UAE. It allows financial institutions and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) to report suspicious transactions.
Registration is mandatory for all financial institutions and DNFBPs operating in the UAE. The platform enhances transparency and enables authorities to monitor and act on financial crimes effectively.

7. What is Fawri Tick, and how does it work?

Fawri Tick is a smart system that integrates data on financial crimes across federal and local authorities, enabling rapid decision-making and action. It facilitates:
- Real-time communication between authorities.
- Quick responses to money laundering and terrorism financing cases, often within hours.
- Developed by the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), Fawri Tick supports the UAE’s National Strategy for AML/CFT.

8. What is the role of the Executive Office for AML/CFT?

The Executive Office for AML/CFT, established in December 2020, ensures compliance with international standards and coordinates efforts with global and domestic entities to combat financial crimes.
Its role includes:

- Enhancing collaboration among stakeholders.
- Monitoring and reporting progress on AML/CFT initiatives.
- Aligning the UAE’s efforts with FATF recommendations.

9. How does the UAE identify high-risk countries for money laundering?

The UAE identifies high-risk countries by:
- Consulting international sources, such as FATF reports and other global databases.
- Assessing risks through the National Risk Assessment (NRA) process.
- Regularly updating lists of high-risk countries to guide financial institutions and businesses in conducting due diligence.
- NAMLCFTC ensures adherence to these guidelines by all supervised entities.

10. How can businesses ensure compliance with AML regulations in the UAE?

To comply with AML regulations, businesses should:
- Register with the goAML platform.
- Implement strong due diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.
- Train staff on AML/CFT compliance and reporting mechanisms.
- Regularly monitor transactions and report suspicious activities.
- Non-compliance can result in heavy fines, legal action, and reputational damage. Businesses can access detailed guidelines from the UAE Ministry of Justice or Central Bank’s AML regulations.