Filing a Fraud Case in Dubai.

How to File a Fraud Complaint in Dubai, UAE

If you have been the victim of fraud in Dubai, time is critical. Fraudsters dissipate assets quickly. The sooner you file a complaint and apply for precautionary orders, the greater your chances of recovering your money. Al Safar & Partners assists fraud victims in taking immediate, effective legal action — from drafting and filing the criminal complaint to securing asset freezes and pursuing civil compensation claims.

Step 1: Gather Your Evidence

Before filing, compile all relevant evidence: contracts, invoices, bank transfer records, WhatsApp and email correspondence, investment agreements, property documents and any communications showing the deceptive conduct. Our lawyers advise you on what evidence is relevant and how to preserve it — particularly digital evidence, which must be handled carefully to be admissible.

Step 2: File a Criminal Complaint

Criminal fraud complaints in Dubai are filed with:

• Dubai Police: At the relevant police station (or through the Dubai Police app for some offences). The police record the complaint and refer it to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) or Economic Crimes Unit.
• Dubai Public Prosecution: Complaints can also be filed directly with the Public Prosecution, particularly for complex financial fraud or where the accused is a company.
• Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution / Other Emirates: For offences occurring outside Dubai, complaints are filed with the relevant Emirate's authorities.

The complaint must clearly describe: who committed the fraud, what they did, when and where it occurred, what loss you suffered, and what evidence you have. How the complaint is drafted significantly affects how quickly and seriously it is investigated. Our lawyers draft comprehensive, legally precise complaints that compel immediate investigative action.

Step 3: Apply for Asset Freezing Orders

If the fraudster has assets in the UAE — bank accounts, property, vehicles or business interests — we can apply on an urgent basis to the court for a precautionary attachment order (asset freeze) without notifying the accused. This prevents the fraudster from moving or hiding assets before a judgment is obtained. Asset freezing applications are among the most time-sensitive steps in fraud recovery — we regularly obtain these within 24–48 hours of instruction.

Step 4: Pursue Civil Recovery Simultaneously

In parallel with the criminal complaint, we file a civil claim in the Dubai Courts or DIFC Courts for the fraudulently obtained amount, plus interest and costs. The civil and criminal proceedings can advance simultaneously — and a criminal conviction, when obtained, becomes powerful evidence in the civil case. Our litigation team manages both proceedings in a coordinated strategy designed to maximise recovery.

Step 5: Enforcement

Obtaining a judgment is only part of the battle — enforcement is the other. We trace and enforce judgments against assets in the UAE, and through our international network, coordinate enforcement in other jurisdictions. For clients whose money has been moved offshore, we work with specialist asset-tracing professionals and international counsel to pursue recovery globally.