# Can the UAE confiscate criminal property without a conviction? **URL:** \ **Category:** UAE\ **Tags:** money-laundering, aml, nra\ **Created:** [September 9, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/can-the-uae-confiscate-criminal-property-without-a-conviction/1892 "2026-09-09T16:11:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/can-the-uae-confiscate-criminal-property-without-a-conviction/1892/1 "2026-09-09T16:11:04Z")
Can the UAE confiscate criminal property without a conviction? ---
**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/can-the-uae-confiscate-criminal-property-without-a-conviction/1892/2 "2026-09-09T16:11:07Z")
The UAE has both conviction-based and non-conviction-based measures enabling confiscation of property held by criminal defendants or by third parties. Laundered property can be confiscated on conviction, as can proceeds of, or instrumentalities used or intended for use in, money laundering and relevant predicate offences. Competent authorities can identify, trace and evaluate property subject to confiscation through the broad powers of the public prosecution and the competent court. They can carry out provisional measures to freeze, seize or restrain property subject to confiscation, to preserve it and prevent transfer or disposal before a decision on confiscation or forfeiture. The UAE also has mechanisms to manage and where necessary dispose of frozen, seized and confiscated property, including the ability to appoint a person to take possession, manage and deal with it. The NRA records that the UAE is in the process of amending relevant articles to align with new FATF amendments on confiscation and asset recovery. **Legal Reference (source document and governing law):** · [UAE Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment, 2nd NRA (2024)](https://www.namlcftc.gov.ae) · [Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 on AML/CFT and Financing of Illegal Organisations](https://uaelegislation.gov.ae) · [Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, Executive Regulations](https://uaelegislation.gov.ae) _Scope note: confiscation powers are exercised by prosecutors and courts. Reporting entities’ role is limited to freezing on instruction and to reporting._ Further reading: [Enforcement consequences under UAE AML law](https://amluae.com/portfolio/consequences-for-non-compliance-with-uae-aml-regulations/) **Related questions on [amlfaqs.com](http://amlfaqs.com):** · [What are the penalties for terrorist financing under UAE law?](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/1891) · [What is third-party money laundering and how common is it in the UAE?](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/1875) · [Does ADGM have its own AML law, or does UAE federal AML law apply?](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/1686) ---
**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/can-the-uae-confiscate-criminal-property-without-a-conviction/1892/3 "2026-09-09T16:11:10Z")
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**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 1:38pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/can-the-uae-confiscate-criminal-property-without-a-conviction/1892/4 "2026-10-07T13:38:46Z")