The real estate sector in the UAE is considered a high-risk area for money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) due to its high-value transactions, cross-border buyers, and complex ownership structures. Recognizing this, the UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) require real estate brokers, developers, and agents (classified as DNFBPs)
To strengthen its AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism) framework, the UAE has introduced sector-specific reporting obligations for the real estate industry. One of the most critical requirements for real estate brokers, developers, and agents is filing the Real Estate Activity Report (REAR) via the goAML platform. The REAR filing obligation aims
As AML/CFT regulations tighten across the UAE, businesses—especially those classified as DNFBPs (Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions)—face growing pressure to adopt technology that helps them remain compliant, reduce risk, and avoid penalties. Whether you’re a real estate brokerage, gold & jewellery trader, auditing firm, or corporate service provider, selecting the right AML software for your
Trust and Company Service Providers (TCSPs) are a vital part of the UAE’s business services landscape. From company formation and nominee arrangements to administrative services, TCSPs facilitate high-value transactions and asset structuring—functions that, if misused, can enable money laundering and other financial crimes. Recognizing these risks, the UAE classifies TCSPs as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and
The UAE is a global powerhouse in the gold and jewellery trade, with major hubs like Dubai playing a pivotal role in international bullion trading and precious stone commerce. From refineries and bullion traders to luxury retailers and jewellery manufacturers, the sector is both economically significant and vulnerable to misuse for money laundering and terrorist
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations in the UAE have become increasingly stringent in recent years, particularly for financial institutions and DNFBPs (Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions) such as real estate companies, gold & jewellery dealers, and corporate service providers. Failure to comply with these regulations doesn’t just risk reputational damage—it can result in significant regulatory fines,
As the UAE continues to evolve as a global financial powerhouse, the risk of money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit financial activities remains a growing concern. To counter these threats, the UAE has implemented stringent regulatory frameworks, requiring businesses and financial institutions to comply with robust AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of
The UAE’s dynamic real estate sector continues to attract investors from across the globe. However, due to its high transaction volumes and potential for anonymity through complex ownership structures, the sector is considered vulnerable to money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF). To mitigate these risks, the UAE Ministry of Economy has issued clear AML/CFT obligations
While most businesses are familiar with Know Your Customer (KYC) as a cornerstone of AML compliance, an equally important—but often underutilized—component is Know Your Transaction (KYT). In an era of increasingly complex and high-volume financial activity, KYT has emerged as a critical tool for enhancing real-time monitoring, risk detection, and regulatory compliance. KYT shifts the
Address verification is often seen as a basic administrative step during onboarding, but in the context of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) due diligence, it plays a far more critical role. Verifying a customer’s physical or registered address is not just about ensuring contactability—it’s about assessing risk, validating legitimacy, and fulfilling legal compliance requirements. In an increasingly digital
