Dubai Police warn of AI document forgery as fines reach Dhs750,000

Dubai authorities have issued a stark warning about the rising use of artificial intelligence to create forged documents, as fraudsters increasingly exploit sophisticated technology to commit financial crimes. The alert comes with severe penalties, with fines reaching up to Dhs750,000 for those convicted of forging electronic government documents, according to the Anti-Fraud Centre at Dubai Police's General Department of Criminal Investigation.

The warning is part of Dubai Police's ongoing #BewareofFraud campaign, which aims to heighten digital awareness across all segments of society as technology-enabled fraud becomes more sophisticated and difficult to detect.

Background and Context

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence tools has created new opportunities for criminals to generate convincing forgeries that appear professionally written and well-formatted at first glance. According to a Dubai Police Media report, fraudsters are taking advantage of these technological capabilities to circumvent legal and financial systems, creating documents that can easily fool the untrained eye.

Despite their polished appearance, specialists can identify red flags in these AI-generated forgeries, including inaccurate information, language inconsistent with official templates, and counterfeit signatures or stamps. The trend represents a significant escalation in document forgery, moving beyond traditional methods to leverage algorithms that can replicate official formatting with remarkable precision.

Key Figures and Entities

The Anti-Fraud Centre at Dubai Police's General Department of Criminal Investigation has taken the lead in combating this emerging threat. The centre has emphasized that digital awareness serves as the first line of defense against such sophisticated fraud attempts. They have urged institutions, companies, and members of the public to remain vigilant when receiving documents through email or social media platforms.

Dubai Police have established multiple reporting channels for suspected fraud, including their smart app, the emergency number 901, and the dedicated eCrime platform for reporting cybercrimes. These mechanisms form part of a broader strategy to combat financial crimes enabled by emerging technologies.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

UAE law provides for severe penalties for document forgery, whether official or unofficial. According to Article 252 of Federal Decree Law No. 31 of 2021 on Crimes and Penalties, forging an official document carries a temporary prison sentence of up to 10 years, while forging an unofficial document is punishable by imprisonment. Article 253 further stipulates that anyone who forges a copy of an official document and uses it, or knowingly uses a forged copy, faces temporary imprisonment of up to five years.

For electronic documents specifically, Article 14 of Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes establishes even harsher penalties. Forging an electronic document belonging to a federal or local government entity, or a public authority or institution, is punishable by temporary imprisonment and a fine ranging from Dhs150,000 to Dhs750,000. If the forgery involves electronic documents from private entities, penalties include imprisonment and fines between Dhs100,000 and Dhs300,000.

International Implications and Policy Response

The Dubai Police warning reflects a growing global challenge as law enforcement agencies worldwide struggle to keep pace with AI-enabled fraud. The case highlights the urgent need for international cooperation in developing detection technologies and harmonizing legal responses to document forgery in the digital age.

Financial institutions and regulatory bodies across the Middle East and beyond are likely to strengthen their verification protocols in response to these threats. The substantial penalties in UAE law signal a serious commitment to deterring AI-enabled forgery, though enforcement remains challenging when perpetrators operate across borders and through anonymous digital channels.

Sources

This report draws on statements and media releases from Dubai Police's Anti-Fraud Centre, Federal Decree Law No. 31 of 2021 on Crimes and Penalties, and Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes. The information was compiled from official UAE government communications regarding enforcement actions against document forgery.