By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent
THE UAE (United Arab Emirates) reported a surge in financial crime enforcement in 2025, with significant rises in asset freezes and AML cases.
Law enforcement money laundering cases increased by 46%, rising from 646 in 2024 to 942 cases last year.
That is according to new figures from the NAMLCFTPC (National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Committee).
The body announced the performance indicators of the UAE’s national AML/CFT/CPF framework for 2025.
In addition to the rise in money laundering cases, highlights included:
- Pre-emptive freezing orders increased by 47%, from 15 to 22 orders
- The value of frozen assets tripled to AED 150 million ($41 million)
- Requests for information received by the Financial Intelligence Unit increased by 20.7%, from 1,261 to 1,522 requests
Regarding the area of supervision of financial institutions, virtual asset service providers (VASPs), and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs):
- 781 inspections were conducted across financial institutions and VASPs,
- Officials impose administrative penalties amounting to AED 384 million ($105 million)
In the area of financial intelligence, investigations, and asset recovery:
- Suspicious Transaction Reports increased by 20.8%, from 54,000 to 66,000 reports
- Domestic confiscations reached AED 4.23 billion, in addition to AED 750 million returned to victims.
UAE comments on 2025 fincrime enforcement
H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE and Chair of the National Committee, said: “These leading results reflect the continued progress achieved in implementing the National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (2024–2027) and reaffirm the UAE’s steadfast commitment to fostering a secure and stable global financial environment.
“This commitment is underpinned by a robust and agile supervisory framework capable of anticipating emerging challenges and combating financial crime with effectiveness and confidence”.
Hamid Al Zaabi, Secretary General and Vice-Chair of the NAMLCFTPC, said: “The results achieved confirm the continued advancement of national coordination among relevant authorities and the growing impact of international partnerships in supporting the UAE’s efforts to combat cross-border financial crime.
“The UAE remains committed to strengthening institutional readiness, enhancing the effectiveness of supervision and financial investigations, and advancing the use of data and statistical indicators to support decision-making and measure the impact of the national AML/CFT/CPF framework”.
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