Dubai’s real estate sector continues to attract investors, property buyers, developers, and businesses from across the world. While this international activity creates significant opportunities, it also exposes real estate businesses to potential money laundering and other financial crime risks. High-value property transactions, cross-border payments, complex ownership structures, and customers from different jurisdictions can create challenges

As 2027 approaches, businesses operating in Dubai and across the UAE should take the opportunity to review whether their Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) frameworks remain effective, properly documented, and aligned with applicable regulatory requirements. AML compliance is not simply about having policies in place, collecting customer identification documents, or conducting occasional sanctions screening.

AML compliance in the UAE involves much more than conducting customer screening or maintaining identification documents.Regulated businesses need to understand their financial crime risks, conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD), identify beneficial owners, assess customer risk, apply Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) where necessary, perform appropriate sanctions and PEP screening, maintain records, monitor relevant changes, train employees,