Authorities in Abu Dhabi urge residents to verify charities before donating and avoid unknown websites.
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has cautioned that raising funds for unlicensed organisations may lead to imprisonment and fines of up to Dh500,000, as authorities intensify measures to curb fraudulent donation campaigns.
In public awareness guidance, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department urged residents to confirm the authenticity of licensed charities through official, government-approved websites and platforms before making any donations.
Residents have been urged to refrain from engaging with suspicious donation links or campaigns, especially those shared on social media, and to avoid giving money directly to individuals who claim to represent charitable organisations outside authorised channels.
Donations must be made exclusively through licensed government or authorised digital platforms, and any suspicious activity should be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities.
Under UAE law, soliciting donations for unregistered or unlicensed entities—whether in person or via digital platforms—is considered a criminal offence. Individuals found guilty of creating, managing, or overseeing a website to raise funds without an official licence may face imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh200,000 to Dh500,000, or both.
