Transferring money to strangers in UAE could lead to 10 years in prison
Investigations have uncovered numerous cases where individuals, often unknowingly, made deposits or transfers at ATMs on behalf of strangers claiming their own cards were malfunctioning or that they lacked identification. While these gestures may appear harmless, the law takes a much stricter view.
Legal advisor Abeer Al Dahmani emphasized that anyone transferring money to strangers without verifying the source or recipient risks legal liability, regardless of their intentions. 'Good intentions may reduce penalties but do not absolve responsibility,' she said. Those who assist in such transactions, especially by using their personal identification, could inadvertently be facilitating crimes such as drug trafficking, terrorist financing, or other illicit activities.
According to Federal Law on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, knowingly transferring or moving funds that are proceeds of crime with the intent to conceal their origin constitutes money laundering. Offenders face imprisonment ranging from one to ten years and fines between AED 100,000 and AED 5 million.
The UAE Public Prosecution has urged the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid falling prey to fraudsters who exploit trust to use innocent individuals for illegal money transfers. The use of personal IDs to transfer funds to unknown accounts can result in charges of money laundering, even if the individual was unaware of the illicit source.
Authorities stress that money laundering involves giving illegal funds a legal appearance by hiding or disguising their origin, often through bank transfers or other financial transactions.
Beyond money laundering statutes, the UAE's Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumors and Cybercrimes imposes further penalties on those who use electronic means to transfer or conceal illicit funds. Convicted individuals may face imprisonment for up to 10 years and fines up to AED 5 million.
Authorities advise individuals to always verify the legitimacy of funds before making transfers and to consult banks or relevant agencies if unsure. Ignorance of the law offers no defense, and involvement—even unwitting—in such transactions can lead to severe consequences.
The bottom line for residents and visitors in the UAE is clear: avoid transferring money for strangers. The legal and financial risks far outweigh any perceived act of kindness, as such actions could inadvertently contribute to serious criminal activities and result in heavy penalties under UAE law.
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