Using electronic means to send illicit funds a crime, says PP

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE Public Prosecution (PP), clarified through a post published on Wednesday on its social media accounts, the penalty for the transfer, possession, use or acquisition of illegitimate funds using an information network.

The UAE PP pointed out that in accordance with the Article 30 of the Federal Decree Law No.34 of 2021, for Combating E- Crimes and Rumors, without prejudice to the provisions stipulated in the Law for Combating Money Laundering, whoever deliberately commits any of the following acts using an information network, an electronic information system, or a means of information technology:

1. The transfer, transport, or deposit of illegitimate funds in order to conceal or disguise the illegitimate source thereof,

2. Concealing or disguising the truth, source, movement, or ownership of illegitimate funds or the rights attached thereto,

3. The earning, acquisition, or use of illegitimate funds with being aware of the illegitimate source thereof,  

shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a duration of not more than ten years and fined a monetary penalty of not less than Dhs100,000 and not more than Dhs5 million:

The same penalty shall be applied against whoever creates, manages, oversees a website or publishes information or data on the world wide web or via a means of information technology in order to facilitate or incite the committing of any of the acts stipulated in item 1 of this article. 

This post is part of the Public Prosecution’s continuous efforts to promote legal culture among members of the community and increase their awareness about the latest legislation in the country.

Separately, as part of its continuous efforts to promote the dissemination of legal awareness among all segments of society, and in coordination with Majalis of Abu Dhabi at the Presidency Court, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, recently organised two lectures on “Cybercrime and its risks to society”, to ensure the protection and safety of society from crimes using modern technologies, especially through the widespread use of social media.