Abu Dhabi – The National Committee for Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Proliferation Financing, in collaboration with Themis, has released a new analytical report titled “Decoding the Digital Threat: Understanding and Addressing Cyber Financial Crimes in the UAE.”
This document represents one of the most comprehensive assessments conducted in the country regarding the impact of rapid technological advancements, including developments in artificial intelligence, virtual assets, online gaming, e-commerce, and digital payment systems, on the landscape of financial crime risks. The report highlights how criminal networks are extensively using digital tools and emphasizes the necessity for ongoing collaboration between public and private sectors to strengthen national capabilities in combating these threats.
National Response
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Lakim Al-Zaabi, Director of National Policy and Risk Management at the General Secretariat, affirmed the need for a unified and robust national response to emerging risks.
He noted that due to the rapid and ongoing evolution of electronically-driven financial crimes, incorporating recent research such as this report is essential within the framework of the ongoing National Risk Assessment (NRA) efforts in the country. The publication of this year’s national risk assessment summary underscores the commitment to risk management based on data. Authorities are collaborating within a comprehensive national framework aimed at proactively and effectively addressing threats arising from technological advancements through coordinated and integrated preventive measures.
Hidden Risks
Deacon Johnston, CEO of Themis, stated, “As electronically-enabled financial crimes escalate, solutions based on intelligence, analysis, and technology are becoming increasingly critical. Themis is dedicated to equipping institutions with tools and knowledge that enable them to uncover hidden risks and safeguard their employees, assets, and operations. This report highlights the urgent need to prepare for the rapidly changing threat landscape due to digital transformation.”
The report was unveiled during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Financial Week, with its findings presented in a discussion session titled “Crime Law: Mapping the Cyber Crime Economy.” This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts in 2025 to enhance economic security, including the issuance of Federal Decree Law No. 10 of 2025 regarding anti-money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing, as well as continuous investment in cyber capabilities and cross-border cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
Key Findings:
• The global rise of electronically-driven financial crimes is alarming, with money laundering estimated at over $2 trillion annually and more than $1 trillion lost through fraud, as criminals increasingly leverage artificial intelligence, deepfake technologies, cryptocurrency mixers, automation, and multi-platform social engineering techniques.
• There has been notable growth in fintech and virtual asset activities in the UAE, with the national fintech market projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2025, while cryptocurrency inflows surpassed $34 billion last year.
• Artificial intelligence has become a multiplying factor in money laundering operations, allowing criminals to scale their activities and increase the level of automation compared to traditional methods. AI-driven fraud is also rising sharply, with readily available fraud tools “as a service,” along with AI-powered phishing kits, coinciding with a significant surge in automated fraud attempts in the UAE.
• Original crimes have become increasingly sophisticated technically. Fraud and drug trafficking remain significant crimes, with criminal networks increasingly resorting to combinations of encrypted communications, digital payments, virtual assets, and online marketplaces to commit fraud, drug trafficking, and laundering illicit proceeds.