Abu dhabi: The General Secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Committee (NAMLCFTPFC), in collaboration with Themis, has released a new analytical paper titled "Anatomy of a Digital Threat: Understanding and Addressing Cyber-Enabled Financial Crime in the UAE". This publication marks one of the UAE's most comprehensive analyses of the evolving financial-crime risk landscape influenced by technological advancements.
According to Emirates News Agency, the paper highlights the increasing use of digital tools by criminal networks, stressing the need for ongoing public-private partnerships to bolster national resilience. Dr. Ebrahim Al Alkeem, Director of the National Risks and Policies Department, stressed the importance of a coordinated response to these emerging threats. He noted that integrating current research is crucial to the National Risk Assessment (NRA) efforts, ensuring that technological threats are managed through a comprehensive, forward-looking approach.
Dickon Johnstone, CEO of Themis, emphasized the need for intelligence-driven solutions in combating cyber-enabled financial crimes. Themis aims to provide organizations with the necessary tools to identify and mitigate risks. The urgency of adapting to the rapidly changing threat landscape was underscored during the Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025, where the paper's findings were discussed.
The analytical paper highlights several key issues, including the global acceleration of cyber-enabled financial crimes. It is estimated that over US$2 trillion is laundered annually, with more than US$1 trillion stolen through fraud. The use of AI, deepfakes, and automation by criminals is on the rise, increasing the complexity of financial crimes.
In the UAE, the fintech and virtual-asset sectors continue to grow, with the national fintech market expected to reach US$3.5 billion by 2025. Crypto inflows surpassed US$34 billion last year. These developments contribute to the digital economy but also increase exposure to financial crime risks. AI has become a significant enabler for money laundering operations, allowing for greater scale and automation. The report also notes a rise in AI-enabled fraud, with access to pre-built 'fraud-as-a-service' tools.
Additionally, predicate crimes are becoming more sophisticated, with fraud and drug trafficking remaining significant concerns. Criminal groups are increasingly using encrypted communications, digital payments, and online platforms to commit offenses and launder proceeds.
The report underscores the UAE's ongoing efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism measures. This includes enhancing oversight of virtual-asset service providers, expanding cyber-intelligence capabilities, and fostering an integrated approach among law enforcement, regulators, and private-sector partners.