What is tipping off under UAE AML law?
Tipping off is the act of alerting a customer or any third party that a suspicious transaction is being reviewed or reported, or that the authorities are making inquiries. Information relating to suspicious transactions is treated as confidential under UAE law and may only be disclosed to the extent necessary for investigations or proceedings.
The prohibition protects the integrity of investigations. If a customer learns that a report has been filed, they may move funds, destroy evidence or flee, defeating the purpose of reporting. Firms should build controls so that customer-facing staff cannot inadvertently reveal a report or an ongoing review, for example by avoiding unusual account freezes or explanations that hint at a filing. Training and clear internal escalation channels are the main defences.
Legal Reference (UAE):
ยท Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 24 - treats suspicious transaction information as confidential and restricts its disclosure.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.