During the years between 2022 and 2024 Dubai Police revealed that they had conducted money laundering financial investigation cases including $16.3 million ( 60 million AED) in virtual assets, or crypto asset cases. This did not include a case where The Dubai Economic Security Center disrupted a $49 million crypto money laundering operation. Both investigations led to a total of $65.3 million crypto money laundering investigation cases.

Between 2022 and 2024 Dubai Police had conducted a total of 500 money laundering cases totaling $1.1 billion ( 4 billion AED).

Lt-Gen Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, noted that these achievements reflect the UAE’s dedication to combating money laundering and enhancing international cooperation to tackle financial crimes. “Through the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organizations Committee, the force strategically coordinates with key partners to fight financial crimes,” he said.

“Our efforts encompass human resources development and specialised training for our officials such as the International Diploma in AML and Terrorist Financing, launched in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The programme has trained 116 professionals from relevant national organisations,” Al Marri revealed.

Lt-Gen Al Marri explained that Dubai Police has demonstrated exceptional commitment to intelligence sharing, exchanging 1,733 financial crime-related dossiers with international partners over the last three years. “These exchanges have been facilitated through organisations such as INTERPOL, Europol, and regional and Gulf networks. Additionally, Dubai Police has signed numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with global counterparts to bolster law enforcement cooperation,” Al Marri confirmed.

Expert Maj-Gen Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, highlighted the role of advanced technologies in enhancing investigative capabilities. “Dubai Police leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence and specialized task forces to uncover illicit activities, apprehend perpetrators, and work closely with international law enforcement to combat money laundering effectively,” Al Mansouri noted.

Dubai Economic Security Centre disrupted $49 million crypto money laundering operation

The other successful operation, a collaboration between Dubai Economic Security Centre and the Public Funds Prosecution in Dubai disrupted an international organized crime network involved in money laundering operations worth $49 million (180 million AED) using cryptocurrencies. It involved 30 individuals and three companies. The network, which conducted complex money laundering operations worth AED180 million using cryptocurrencies, operated across the UK and Dubai. Investigations revealed that the network laundered cash in the UK through unlicensed cryptocurrency intermediaries present in the UK and Dubai.

Dubai Police working with crypto exchanges and Blockchain Intelligence firms

The General Department of Criminal Investigation at Dubai Police signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BitOasis Technologies to strengthen cooperation, foster partnership ties, and enhance security efforts. The MoU aimed to bolster collaboration and exchange expertise in addressing economic crimes and exploring their future trends.

Additionally Dubai Police also partnered with Crystal Intelligence an advanced blockchain analytics and on-the-ground intelligence firm empowering financial institutions, governments & regulators in the fight against cryptocurrency crime.