You can file a criminal complaint at a police station, or online through the Dubai Police "File Criminal Complaint" service or the Ministry of Interior (MOI) "File Criminal Reports" service, both with UAE Pass. Under the Criminal Procedure Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022, Article 12), complaints go to the police or the Public Prosecution. The prosecution decides whether to go to court. Insult, defamation and some other complaints must be made within three months and can be withdrawn before a final judgment (Articles 11 and 17).
Who this guide is for
- Victims of theft, fraud, assault, breach of trust, forgery, threats or insults.
- Businesses reporting a dishonest employee, partner or customer.
- Anyone who has filed a complaint and wants to know what comes next, or is thinking of withdrawing it.
Online abuse and scams have their own guide: see online defamation and cybercrime. For road accidents, see Dubai car accidents. In an emergency, call 999 first.
Where can I file a complaint?
| Emirate | Official channel | Notes (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Dubai Police "File Criminal Complaint" in the app or website, smart police stations or police stations | Free; the page states 4 working days; UAE Pass; choose the station for the place of the incident |
| Abu Dhabi | Nearest police station, or the MOI app | Abu Dhabi Police's Aman FAQ says Aman takes security information, not criminal reports, and points to police stations and the MOI app for official reports |
| Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain | MOI "File Criminal Reports" in the MOI app or website, service centres, or a police station | The MOI page lists local certificate fees for Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah; check the fee shown before paying |
| Any emirate | My Safe Society app of the federal Public Prosecution | Listed on the UAE government portal as a channel for reporting cybercrime |
The MOI service covers crimes such as assault, theft, financial fraud, cybercrime, counterfeiting and forgery. Online, you pick the report type, mark the location on a map, add details and attach evidence.
Dubai Police lists documents by crime type. For example, for fraud it asks for proof of the transfer and of the agreement or the fraud in chats or documents; for defamation, screenshots of the conversation translated into Arabic; for forgery, the document itself for examination.
What happens after I file?
- Police stage. The police record your statement, collect evidence and may call the other person. Dubai Police says it refers the file to the judicial authorities after checking the complaint.
- Public Prosecution. The prosecution investigates. It can close a misdemeanour file if there is no reason to proceed (Article 119), issue an order that there are no grounds for a case (Article 118), or refer the case to the criminal court (Articles 121 and 122). An order of no grounds must be notified to the victim (Article 118).
- Court. The court hears the case. A complainant is treated as a civil claimant only if he says so or asks for compensation in the complaint or a later paper (Article 40).
If a federal prosecution closes your case, the MOJ "Submit a complaint/grievance" service lets you challenge the decision online. As of September 2026, its page lists a fee of 30 and a service time of 15 days. Emirates with their own judicial departments have their own procedures, so ask the prosecution handling your file.
To find out where your complaint stands, see how to check a police or court case.
Can I withdraw my complaint?
It depends on the offence. For offences that need the victim's complaint, the complainant may withdraw it at any time before a final judgment, and the criminal case then ends (Article 17). These include (Article 11):
- insult and defamation;
- theft, fraud or breach of trust between spouses, parents and children (with some exceptions);
- refusing to hand over a child to the person entitled to custody;
- refusing to pay court-ordered maintenance, custody or housing payments;
- other offences where a law requires a complaint.
A complaint for these offences is not accepted after three months from the day the victim learned of the crime and who committed it (Article 11). If there are several victims, withdrawal works only if all who complained withdraw, and a withdrawal made after a final judgment stops the sentence being carried out (Article 17).
For other crimes, the case belongs to the Public Prosecution and cannot be dropped except where the law allows (Article 10). For some listed misdemeanours, the law allows a criminal settlement (sulh) (Article 349). Ask the prosecution what applies to your case.
What about language?
Police, prosecution and court proceedings are in Arabic. If you do not understand Arabic, the officer, prosecutor or judge must use a licensed or approved interpreter (Article 8). Dubai Police asks for legal Arabic translations of documents where available.
Step by step
- Stay safe. Call 999 if anyone is in danger.
- Write a timeline. Note dates, places, amounts and names.
- Keep the evidence. Save messages, receipts, transfer records and photos without editing them.
- Choose the channel. Use the table above, based on where the incident happened.
- File the complaint. Sign in with UAE Pass, or visit a police station with your Emirates ID or passport.
- Keep the reference number. You will need it to follow up.
- Attend when called. Give your statement and ask for an interpreter if you need one.
- Claim compensation if you want it. Say so in the complaint or in a later paper.
- Follow up. Track the file and keep copies of every decision.
The evidence checklist builder can help you organise your material.
Documents checklist
- Emirates ID or passport
- Power of attorney, if a representative files for you
- Written timeline of events
- Evidence: messages, screenshots, contracts, receipts, bank statements, photos
- Medical report, for assault
- Trade licence and authorisation letter, for a company
- Legal Arabic translations of key documents, where available
Common mistakes
- Waiting too long. For insult, defamation and other complaint-based offences, the three-month limit can end your right to complain.
- Filing in the wrong place. Dubai Police asks you to pick the station for where the incident happened.
- Using the police for a pure debt. Many unpaid debts and bounced cheques are civil matters; see our bounced cheque guide.
- Editing screenshots. Crop nothing that shows the sender, date or time.
- Signing a statement you do not understand. Ask for an interpreter.
- Assuming withdrawal ends every case. It works only for offences that need a complaint.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Consider licensed advice if the crime is serious, the amounts are large, you want compensation, the prosecution has closed your file, or the other side has filed a counter-complaint. Our guide to a first meeting with a UAE lawyer explains what to bring. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file a police complaint online in the UAE?
Yes, through the Dubai Police app or website for Dubai, and the MOI "File Criminal Reports" service in the MOI app or website, both with UAE Pass.
Is it free to file a complaint with Dubai Police?
As of September 2026, the Dubai Police "File Criminal Complaint" service page lists it as free of charge.
Can Abu Dhabi Police's Aman service take my complaint?
No, Abu Dhabi Police says Aman receives security information, not criminal reports; its FAQ points to police stations and the MOI app for official reports.
How long do I have to complain about an insult?
A complaint for insult or defamation is not accepted after three months from the day you learned of the offence and who committed it (Article 11).
Can I withdraw a complaint after settling?
For offences that need a complaint, yes, at any time before a final judgment; for other crimes, the prosecution decides.
Do I need to speak Arabic?
No, proceedings are in Arabic, but the authorities must use an interpreter for anyone who does not understand it.
Will filing a complaint get my money back?
Not automatically; ask for compensation in your complaint and, if needed, take legal advice about a civil claim.
Official sources
- Dubai Police — File Criminal Complaint
- Ministry of Interior — File Criminal Reports
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 on the Criminal Procedure Law
- Ministry of Justice — Submit a complaint/grievance
- Abu Dhabi Police — Aman service FAQ
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.