By admin 
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
Dubai authorities, in collaboration with key federal authorities, have successfully broken up two major international networks carrying out money laundering operations worth a total of Dh641 million.
Dubai Public Prosecution has referred an Emirati national, 21 British nationals, two Americans, a Czech national and two companies owned by the Emirati national to the Criminal Court of First Instance of the Dubai Courts. The individuals and entities are accused of possessing illicit funds worth Dh461 million, as well as falsifying official documents and using them.
Investigations revealed that money was being smuggled from Britain into the UAE, with the two local companies being used as a front to disguise their illegal origins. The network used forged documents and evaded customs inspections by falsely declaring the funds as proceeds from legitimate trade in Britain.
In another successful operation, a collaboration between the Dubai Economic Security Center and the Public Funds Prosecution in Dubai disrupted an international organized crime network involved in money laundering operations worth Dhs180 million using cryptocurrencies.
The Dubai Public Prosecution Service has referred the case involving a network of 30 people and three companies to the Money Laundering Court of the Dubai Court. The network, which carried out complex money laundering operations worth Dhs180 million using cryptocurrencies, operated in the United Kingdom and Dubai. Investigations have revealed that the network laundered cash in Britain through unlicensed cryptocurrency intermediaries with a presence in the United Kingdom and Dubai.
The suspects, identified as two Indian nationals and one British national, orchestrated the scheme, which involved proceeds from illegal activities such as drug trafficking, fraud and tax evasion in Britain. A carefully planned operation led to the arrest of the suspect and the freezing of bank accounts used for money laundering.
The success of these complex operations was made possible through the joint efforts of the Dubai Public Prosecution Service, Dubai Economic Security Centre, Dubai Police Anti-Money Laundering Unit, UAE Financial Intelligence Unit, Dubai Customs and the International Cooperation Department of the UAE Ministry of Justice.
Essam Issa Al Humaidan, Attorney General of Dubai, commended the Public Prosecution Service, law enforcement agencies and cooperating local and federal agencies for conducting coordinated, meticulous investigations that led to the successful dismantling of the sophisticated international money laundering networks. He underlined the importance of these efforts in tackling complex financial crimes, protecting the national economy and improving financial stability. His Excellency reaffirmed Dubai’s commitment to enforcing anti-money laundering laws, combating organized financial crime and strengthening international cooperation to maintain global financial integrity.