How to File a Criminal Complaint in UAE: Step-by-Step Guide

What you say in your first police statement becomes permanent. Getting it wrong shapes the entire case against you — or against the person who harmed you.

What Is a Criminal Complaint in the UAE?

A criminal complaint is a formal report filed with UAE police alleging that a criminal offense has been committed under the Penal Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021) or related legislation such as the Cybercrimes Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021). Once filed, the police investigate and refer the case to the Public Prosecution, which decides whether to press charges, archive the case, or facilitate settlement.

Filing a criminal complaint sets the state machinery in motion. Unlike civil disputes where you sue a party for damages, a criminal complaint asks the government to investigate and potentially prosecute an offense. You become a complainant and witness — the state becomes the prosecuting party.

The UAE classifies criminal offenses into three categories:

The Criminal Procedure Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022) governs how complaints are filed, investigated, and prosecuted. Understanding this process before walking into a police station significantly affects your case outcome.

For a comprehensive overview of criminal legal services, see our criminal lawyer guide.

When Should You File a Criminal Complaint?

File a criminal complaint for fraud, financial crimes, assault, theft, defamation, cybercrime, and breach of trust. Do not file for employment disputes (handled by MOHRE), landlord-tenant disputes (handled by the Rental Disputes Centre), or contract disputes without fraud. Filing a criminal complaint for a civil matter wastes time and creates potential liability for filing a false report.

Criminal complaints are appropriate for:

• Fraud and financial crimes — cheque fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, investment fraud, identity theft. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2020, a bounced cheque is a criminal offense, though 2020 amendments reduced penalties
• Assault and battery — physical violence of any degree, from minor assault (misdemeanor) to grievous harm (felony), prosecuted under Articles 382–395 of the Penal Code
• Theft and robbery — criminally prosecuted regardless of value
• Defamation and insults — criminalized under Article 425 of the Penal Code and the Cybercrimes Law, including sharing someone's photo or private information without consent
• Cybercrime — unauthorized access, hacking, online fraud, blackmail, and threatening communications with penalties including imprisonment and fines up to AED 3,000,000
• Breach of trust — misuse of entrusted property or funds under Article 404 of the Penal Code

Matters that are civil, not criminal:

• Employment disputes (MOHRE, then labor courts)
• Landlord-tenant disputes (Rental Disputes Centre in Dubai)
• Contract disputes without fraud or criminal intent
• Commercial disagreements without embezzlement or fraud

How Do You File a Criminal Complaint Step by Step?

File a police report at the nearest station in the emirate where the offense occurred, bringing your Emirates ID, passport, a detailed written statement, and all supporting evidence. The police investigate, then refer the case to the Public Prosecution, which decides to charge, archive, or mediate. If charges are filed, the case goes to Misdemeanor Court or Court of First Instance depending on severity.

Step 1: File a Report at the Police Station

• Bring your Emirates ID and passport
• Provide a detailed written statement: dates, times, locations, witness names
• Submit all evidence: documents, photos, messages, recordings, financial records, contracts
• The police record your statement in Arabic (a translator is provided if needed, but the official record is Arabic only)
• You receive a case reference number — keep it for all follow-ups

Do not delay. Contraventions prescribe after 1 year, misdemeanors after 5 years, felonies after 20 years. More practically, evidence degrades and witnesses become harder to locate.

Step 2: Police Investigation

The police open an investigation that may include interviewing the accused (summoned by police), collecting CCTV footage and bank records, forensic examination, and digital forensics for cyber-related cases. Straightforward cases may conclude within days. Complex fraud cases can take weeks or months.

Step 3: Referral to the Public Prosecution

The Public Prosecution reviews the case file and has three options:

The prosecutor interviews both the complainant and the accused. This is not a formality — the prosecution is evaluating case strength.

Step 4: Trial

Cases are assigned to Misdemeanor Court (for misdemeanors) or Court of First Instance (for felonies). Both sides present cases over one or more hearings. All proceedings are in Arabic with official translations required for all documents.

Can You File a Complaint Digitally?

Dubai Police App (iOS/Android), the eCrime platform (ecrime.ae) for cybercrime, and Abu Dhabi Police Smart Services allow electronic filing for non-urgent matters including cyber fraud, online threats, and financial crime. Digital filing generates a case reference number and accepts evidence uploads. For urgent matters — physical assault, immediate danger, major fraud — file in person or call 999.

For immediate danger, call 999. Serious crimes — violent offenses and major fraud — are better reported in person where you can provide a comprehensive statement.

What Happens After You File a Criminal Complaint?

The investigation phase takes 1–4 weeks for straightforward cases and months for complex financial crimes. Public Prosecution review takes 1–4 weeks. Trial takes 1–6 months with hearings every 2–3 weeks. Travel bans may be imposed on the accused (and sometimes the complainant). Either party can appeal within 15 days of judgment (30 days for felonies).

Travel bans are a critical consideration. The accused may face a travel ban as a precautionary measure. In some cases — particularly cheque fraud and financial disputes — the complainant may also be restricted if the court requires their presence.

What Is the Difference Between Criminal and Civil Cases?

A criminal case is brought by the state seeking punishment (imprisonment, fines, deportation). A civil case is brought by you seeking compensation (damages, specific performance). You can — and often should — file both simultaneously. A criminal conviction strengthens your civil claim because the civil court generally accepts facts established in the criminal judgment.

Criminal case: The state prosecutes. You are a witness, not a party. Purpose is punishment.

Civil case: You sue. Purpose is compensation.

Filing both: Under UAE law, victims of criminal offenses can file a concurrent civil claim for damages. You can join the civil claim to criminal proceedings (as a civil party) or file separately. For example, if someone defrauds you of AED 500,000, the criminal complaint may result in imprisonment while the civil claim recovers your money plus damages.

For legal cost expectations across case types, see our guide to lawyer costs in Dubai.

When Do You Need a Criminal Lawyer?

From the moment you file the complaint — or before. Your initial police statement is recorded in Arabic and becomes permanent. A criminal lawyer ensures it is precise, comprehensive, and strategically framed. During prosecution, the lawyer ensures effective testimony. If you are the accused, never make a statement without a lawyer present — the right to representation is protected under UAE law.

At the police station. Your statement becomes part of the permanent case file and is extremely difficult to amend. Vague, inconsistent, or weakening details will be used against your position.

During prosecution. The prosecutor evaluates case strength. Your lawyer ensures you answer effectively and provide additional evidence at the right moment.

If you are accused. Never make a statement to police or prosecution without a lawyer. Exercising your right to representation is not a sign of guilt.

For complex cases. Cyber fraud, multi-jurisdiction financial crimes, or cases overlapping with commercial disputes require a lawyer who understands both criminal and civil dimensions.

Find a Criminal Lawyer →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file a criminal complaint?

Filing a police report is free. If the case goes to court and you join as a civil party, court filing fees apply (typically a percentage of the claim amount). Criminal lawyer fees range from AED 10,000–30,000 for misdemeanors and AED 30,000–100,000+ for felonies depending on complexity and duration.

Can you withdraw a criminal complaint after filing?

For "complaint-based offenses" (defamation, minor assault, some property crimes), the complainant can withdraw at any stage, typically resulting in the case being dropped. For serious offenses — fraud, embezzlement, drug offenses, violent crimes — the Public Prosecution can continue even after withdrawal.

Can a criminal case lead to deportation?

Yes. Convicted persons may face deportation after serving their sentence, depending on crime severity. Deportation is common for felony convictions. Even misdemeanor convictions can result in visa cancellation. Certain moral offenses can trigger administrative deportation before a court verdict.

Does it matter which emirate you file in?

The substantive criminal law is federal — the same Penal Code applies everywhere. But each emirate has its own police force and prosecution office with procedural differences. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have specialized digital reporting and prosecution units. You must file in the emirate where the offense occurred. For offenses spanning multiple emirates (like online fraud), you can file where you reside or where the accused is located.

Can you file a criminal complaint against someone who has left the UAE?

Yes. The complaint is filed and investigated normally. If the accused is outside the UAE, the Public Prosecution can issue an arrest warrant. For serious offenses, an Interpol notice can be requested. However, enforcement depends on the country where the accused is located and whether it has an extradition treaty with the UAE.

Keep Reading

• How to Report Cybercrime in UAE
• Cybercrime Laws in UAE
• How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Dubai?
• Criminal Lawyer Guide