Law Relating to AML in UAE and Prevention of Financing Terrorists Organizations – an account on Federal Law No. 26 of 2021 read with Federal Law No. 20 of 2018
The fundamental purpose behind the introduction of Laws concerning the prevention of money laundering is to harmonize with the regulations and/or Enactments initiated by the United Nations especially focusing on directives issued by the United Nations Security Council to its member states under Chapter 7 of United Nations Convention for the suppression of Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
The UAE accordingly initiated Federal Decree No 20 of 2018 which was subsequently amended by Federal Law No 26 of 2021. The primary purpose of this article is to provide a brief account of the amending Law No 26 of 2021 with a focus on salient provisions of the UAE Anti–Money Laundering Law read with Federal Law No. 20 of 2018.
The Federal Law No. 26 of 2021, proceeded to amend Articles 1, 2, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28 and 29 of the Federal Law No. 20 of 2018.
The ensuing paragraphs of the article would focus on how the Latest Decree No 26 of 2021 impacted Federal Decree No. 20 of 2018 and in what ways it has been able to achieve its intended purposes.
Why the Latest Amending Law was Decreed?
UAE is committed to identifying itself as the Global Centre for international Business has a greater need to make sure that, its goals are not tainted with allegations of supporting individuals and entities for Money Laundering activities.
Accordingly, it can be well observed that, the UAE is more committed than ever before to improving the government operations in a comprehensive and institutional manner so that, an effective countering of risks associated with Money Laundering and terrorism financing would be possible.
Moreover, the UAE Central Bank had even endeavoured to issue guidelines for financial institutions, concerning anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism, with a view of harmonizing with the laws decreed by the Federal Government.
In view of the 2021 Amendments, licensed financial institutions are required to conduct appropriate levels of due diligence. In order to understand the level of diligence required to be exercised by the Financial Institutions, a detailed analysis is required on the amending provisions of Law No. 26 of 2021.
By its amendment to Article 1 of Federal Law No. 20 of 2018, the New Law No. 26 of 2021, the “funds” which is to form the subject matter of a money-laundering Transaction is appeared to have been given a Broader meaning. It is intended to include by the amendment, economic resources which are assets of any kind extending to natural resources, bank credits, cheques, payment orders, bill of exchange, letters of credit and any other income resulting from the assets which can be used to obtain any finance, or goods or services. The amendment also recognizes virtual assets so that, it could cover digital trading such as trading by way of cryptocurrencies. The idea behind the inclusion of these provisions may have been to cover all possible avenues which are engaged with money laundering activities.
Not only in identifying the countries of high risk but also to identify the necessary countermeasures to be taken and other measures commensurate with the degree of risk in order to instruct the supervisory authorities to ensure the adherence required. Sch would show that it is not only the identification of the money laundering activities but also the amending law focused also on the precautionary measures which need to be followed; via Article 12 (3) of Decree No 26 of 2021.
Further, focusing on Article 13, the provision is mainly on monitoring and follow-up. This is to ensure compliance (AML compliance) with decreed measures that need to be taken to prevent all avenues or even likely avenues concerned with the occurrence of acts of anti-money laundering. The new amendment had also endeavoured to add novel types of “assets” which could form part of the “funds”. For instance, activities of virtual assets such as cryptocurrencies and activities of virtual asset service providers are included to be considered for the purpose of monitoring under Article 13.
Powers of the Supervisory Authority
The Supervisory Authority, which was established under Federal Decree No. 20 of 2018 has been empowered to impose administrative penalties on financial/non–financial/ virtual asset service providers by way of
- Warnings
- Impose fines not less than AED 50,000/= with a ceiling of AED 5 million
- Imposing ban from engaging in business for a period to be determined by the supervisory authority
- Restricting and/or constraining the powers of the board members either executive or non–executive or managers who are responsible for violating the provisions of law.
- Make orders of the arrest of such categories as mentioned above and
- In the case of professionals, to arrest or restrict activities of the professionals for a period determined by the supervisory authority.
; Article 14 of Federal Decree No. 26 of 2021.
Subsequent to making such orders, the supervisory authority could even require the reports to be submitted specifying the measures which were taken to rectify the violations.
Furthermore, in view of Article 15 of the Federal Decree, No 26 of 2021, financial institutions, professional firms, virtual asset service providers are required upon being suspicious or having apprised of any reasonable ground to suspect, concerning the funds in question in its entirety or partly being used in violation of the provisions of the law, irrespective of the quantum of funds which were so used, notify the Supervisory authority without delay. Also, to provide the authority with a report containing data and all information regarding the suspected transaction. Considering the provisions of law relating to Money Laundering, the duty of confidentiality cannot be held as a defence against the obligation stipulated under Article 15, except for professionals such as lawyers, notaries and other legal professionals and independent auditors.
Once the information had been obtained, the supervisory authorities are to maintain the confidentiality of the information obtained; Article 17 of Law No. 26 of 2021.
Punishments in case of Breach
As stated under Article 22,
- any person who commits an offence as stipulated under Article 2 (1), is subjected to be sanctioned for imprisonment, not more than 10 years and a minimum fine of AED100,000 with a ceiling of AED 10 million or either of the sanctions.
- A more severe punishment can be seen with a minimum fine of AED 300,000 with a ceiling of AED 10 million
- where an offender commits the offence by abusing his power granted to him by his profession or professional activities or
- If the offence is committed through a non-profit organization or
- Through an organized crime group or
- Cases involving recidivism.
- Additionally, as per Article 22 even an attempt to commit an offence under laws concerning money laundering.
- In the event the funds/proceeds have been used for terrorist financing, there will be a minimum of AED 300,000 fine with life imprisonment or temporary imprisonment for 10 years.
- On the other hand, if an illegal organization is financed, a fine of a minimum of AED 300,000 subject to a maximum of AED 10 million and temporary imprisonment will be imposed.
- Quite interestingly, the court also has the power to reduce and/or exempt the offender from any sentence if the offender becomes an informant for the government in providing information.
Furthermore, if the offender is an incorporated body and the offence is committed through its representatives, an aggravated penalty may be imposed with a minimum fine of AED 500,000 while the maximum will be AED 50 million. Upon being convicted for terrorist financing, the court has the power to make an order for dissolution and closure of offices of the incorporated body; Article 23 of Law No. 26 of 2021.
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Sanctions for Aiding and abetting
Article 25 of Law No. 26 of 2021, states that if a person or body of persons discloses or warns or reveals any transaction under review in relation to suspicious transactions committed in contravention to Article 17 of Law No. 26 of 2021.
Court’s power to make orders to confiscate funds and/or assets; Article 26
Upon confirmation of the perpetration of the offence, the court can make orders to confiscate
- Funds owned by the offender are equivalent to the value of the offence.
- Should any confiscation not be possible owing to the reasons that the ultimate benefit of such funds is vested with a bona fide TP, the court may order a fine instead.
Penalties for institutions/firms
As per Article 28, if any institution/firm does not follow instructions and thereby supports the financings of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, persons who are responsible for the conduct of such firms will be sanctioned with imprisonment for a minimum of 7 years with a ceiling of 7 years and/or with a fine not less than AED 50,000 with a maximum amount of AED 5 Million.
Conviction of foreigners
Should a foreigner be convicted for committing the offence of money laundering, such a person shall be deported from UAE. However, if such foreigner commits any other offence (i.e. finance terrorist groups) deportation of such person will be at the discretion of the court.
In conclusion, it could be appreciated that the main idea behind the enactment was to combat money laundering practices. Also, it focuses on establishing a clear legal framework giving clear directions, especially to authorities such as the Supervisory Authority established under Federal Law no. 20 of 2018 by clearly defining its powers. Also, it further focuses on countering the financing of Terrorist organizations and suspicious organizations.
