UAE Strengthens AML Enforcement: Over AED 40M in Penalties Issued
As the global regulatory landscape continues to evolve, the UAE has been reinforcing its commitment to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) practices, reflecting its strategic importance in global trade and capital flows.
Recognising the importance of safeguarding the integrity of its financial and non-financial sectors, the UAE introduced comprehensive AML regulations in 2018, applicable to both financial institutions and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs). Since then, the government has continued to advance its regulatory framework through ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening oversight, transparency, and accountability. These measures are not only a response to global expectations but also part of the UAE’s long-term vision to maintain its reputation as a safe, transparent, and globally integrated economy.
Since being removed from the FATF grey list in early 2024, the UAE has significantly accelerated its regulatory reforms, strengthening its AML/CTF framework across high-risk sectors. These efforts are now delivering measurable impact.
In a mid-2025 compliance review by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, over 1,000 AML violations were identified within the DNFBP sectors, resulting in more than AED 40 million in penalties. The breaches were found across key sectors, including real estate, corporate service providers, auditors, and precious metals — industries with inherent exposure to financial crime. The real estate brokerage sector accounted for the largest number of violations, amounting to AED 18.5M in fines. The precious metals sector resulted in the highest total fine amount among all sectors — approximately AED 20M. The corporate service providers and auditors sectors collectively incurred over AED 4M in fines.
Key compliance gaps identified include:
• Failure to appoint or empower a qualified Compliance Officer
• Incomplete or outdated risk assessments
• Lack of internal controls and transaction monitoring systems
• Absence of staff training or awareness programs
• Poor record-keeping and reporting structures
In response, authorities are intensifying awareness campaigns, rolling out more frequent inspections, and launching targeted training initiatives to help DNFBPs elevate their AML readiness.
This shift towards a culture of active compliance is a critical part of the UAE’s vision. By holding firms accountable and encouraging capacity building, the government aims to fortify its regulatory ecosystem and protect the UAE's reputation as a premier destination for legitimate global investment and trade.
Bolster Group aligns with this philosophy: from drafting AML policies, providing designated officers,
advisory risk assessment and monitoring to offering full KYC, AML compliance and audit support, Bolster’s expert AML team is here to help your business stay ahead of evolving regulatory demands.