How to File a Police Report in the UAE

You can file a police report in the UAE by going to a police station or by using the official police website or app for the emirate where the incident happened. After you file, the police may investigate, give you a reference number, and, if the matter appears criminal, send the file to the Public Prosecution.

When to file a police report

File a police report when you believe a crime has happened, or when you need an official record of an incident. Common examples include theft, assault, threats, fraud, online scams, lost documents, vehicle damage, harassment, or damage to property. If someone is in danger, call the police emergency number first rather than waiting to prepare documents.

Criminal cases in the UAE are handled under federal criminal law and procedure. The main procedure law is Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 on Criminal Procedure. The criminal offence itself may fall under other laws, such as Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 on Crimes and Penalties. If the incident happened online, by phone, by message, through a fake website, or through social media, Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes may also be relevant.

You do not need to decide the exact legal offence before reporting. Your job is to explain what happened honestly and clearly. The police and Public Prosecution decide how the facts fit under UAE criminal law.

Do not file a report as a pressure tactic in a private dispute. A false or exaggerated complaint can create legal risk for the person making it. Stick to facts, not insults or guesses. If the matter is also civil, such as a payment dispute or contract disagreement, the police may still record what happened, but the final route may be civil court, settlement, or another authority.

Where and how to file the report

You normally have two routes: visit a police station or use official online services. The right platform depends on the emirate and the nature of the incident. Dubai Police and Abu Dhabi Police both offer online services through their websites and mobile apps. Other emirates also provide police services through local police portals or UAE Ministry of Interior channels.

If the incident happened in Dubai, use Dubai Police services or visit a Dubai police station. If it happened in Abu Dhabi, use Abu Dhabi Police services or visit an Abu Dhabi police station. If you are unsure where it happened, for example an online scam involving a seller in another emirate, start with the police in the emirate where you live or where you suffered the loss. They can guide you if the file needs to be handled elsewhere.

For online reports, read the category carefully. Selecting the wrong category may delay the process, because the police may need to reclassify the matter or ask you to file again under a different service. If a fee applies to a particular online service, the official portal should show it before payment. Do not pay anyone who claims they can “open a police case” for you outside official channels.

What information and evidence to prepare

Prepare a clear timeline before you file. Write down the date, time, location, names, phone numbers, vehicle numbers, account details, website links, and anything else that identifies the people or events involved. If you do not know a name, describe the person or account as accurately as you can.

Bring or upload your identification. This usually means Emirates ID for UAE residents. Visitors may need to use their passport details. If you are filing for a company, bring documents that show your authority to act for the business, such as a trade licence copy, company stamp if used, or authorisation from the manager.

Good evidence can make the difference between a file that moves forward and a file that cannot be proved. Useful evidence includes:

• Photos or videos of the incident or damage.
• Screenshots of WhatsApp messages, emails, social media posts, listings, payment requests, or threats.
• Bank transfer receipts, card statements, invoices, delivery records, or order confirmations.
• Names and contact details of witnesses.
• Medical reports if there was an injury.
• CCTV location details, if you know a camera may have recorded the event.
• Serial numbers or IMEI numbers for stolen phones or devices.

Do not edit screenshots in a way that changes their meaning. Keep the full conversation where possible, not just the part that helps you. Do not delete messages, posts, call logs, or emails. If the evidence is in another language, the police or prosecution may later ask for Arabic translation. UAE criminal files and court processes commonly operate in Arabic, so expect formal documents to move in that language.

What happens after you file

After you submit the report, you should receive a reference number or report number. Keep it safe. You will need it to follow up, add documents, respond to police requests, or give the number to your insurer, employer, bank, landlord, or embassy if relevant.

The police may then start an investigation. This can include taking your statement, contacting the other person, interviewing witnesses, collecting CCTV, reviewing digital evidence, or asking you to provide extra documents. In some cases, the police may call you to attend the station. If they do, attend on time and bring your ID and the report number. If you cannot attend, ask how to reschedule. Do not ignore police calls or messages.

If the matter appears to involve a criminal offence, the file may be sent to the Public Prosecution. The Public Prosecution reviews the evidence and decides the next legal step. It may ask the police for further investigation, question the complainant or suspect, order expert review, close the file if the evidence is not enough, or refer the case to court.

There is no single timeline for all reports. A simple lost item report may be processed much faster than a fraud case involving bank records, foreign accounts, or multiple suspects. Cybercrime complaints can also take longer if platforms, telecom records, or bank details need to be checked. Ask the police how to track your report through the official channel for that emirate.

Possible outcomes and what they mean

A police report does not always lead to a criminal trial. It starts a process. The final result depends on the evidence, the type of offence, the seriousness of the conduct, and decisions made by the police and Public Prosecution.

One possible outcome is closure. This may happen if the facts do not show a criminal offence, the suspect cannot be identified, or the evidence is too weak. Closure does not always mean the incident did not happen. It may mean the criminal standard cannot be met on the available material.

Another outcome is settlement or withdrawal. Some disputes can be resolved if the complainant and the other party settle. For example, a person may repay money, return property, apologise, or sign a written settlement. Be careful with this. In some criminal matters, the public authorities may still continue the case even if the complainant no longer wants to proceed. A private settlement does not always erase the public side of a criminal offence.

A third outcome is referral to Public Prosecution and then court. If charges are brought, the case may move into the criminal court system. You may be called as a complainant or witness. If you suffered financial loss, you may also need advice on whether to claim compensation through the criminal case or through a separate civil route.

Sometimes the same facts create several tracks. For example, an online seller who takes money and never delivers may lead to a police complaint, a bank complaint, a platform complaint, and possibly a civil claim. A workplace assault may involve police, medical reports, employer HR steps, and labour issues. Keep each file organised and do not assume one authority automatically updates another.

Special points for tourists, businesses, and online cases

Tourists can file police reports in the UAE. If you lose a passport, suffer theft, or need an incident report for insurance, contact the police in the emirate where the incident happened and also contact your embassy if travel documents are affected. Keep a copy of the report number. If you leave the UAE before the matter is finished, ask how you can follow up from abroad.

Businesses should act quickly when the issue involves fraud, employee theft, forged documents, bounced payments, data misuse, or damage to company property. The person filing should have authority to represent the company. Keep company records, emails, invoices, delivery notes, access logs, CCTV information, and bank documents. If several employees know the facts, identify who can give a clear statement.

Online cases need careful evidence handling. Save the profile link, username, phone number, email address, bank account details, payment receipt, delivery tracking, and screenshots showing the full chat. If a website is involved, save the URL. If the scam came through an advert or marketplace, report it to the platform too, but do not rely only on the platform report. Use the official police channel for cyber or fraud complaints.

Avoid posting accusations online after filing a report. Publicly naming someone as a criminal before the authorities decide can expose you to a separate complaint, especially if the statement is insulting, private, or not proven. It can also make settlement harder. Share information with the police, your lawyer, your bank, your insurer, or your employer where needed, but do not turn the dispute into a social media campaign.

If you are called as a suspect rather than a complainant, get legal advice quickly. Be polite, attend as required, and do not sign a statement you do not understand. Ask for clarification if the language is unclear.

What to do next

Start by choosing the correct emirate. Use the police service for the place where the incident happened. For Dubai, check Dubai Police official services. For Abu Dhabi, check Abu Dhabi Police official services. For other emirates, use the relevant police service or UAE Ministry of Interior channel. If someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services first.

Before filing, prepare a one-page timeline. Include the date, time, location, people involved, what was said or done, and what loss or harm resulted. Attach evidence in order. Label files clearly, such as “bank transfer receipt”, “WhatsApp chat”, “photo of damage”, or “witness name and phone number”.

When you file, ask for or save the report number. Take screenshots of online confirmations. If you file at a station, ask how to follow up and whether you need to return with more documents. Do not miss calls from the police. If your phone number changes, update the relevant authority.

After filing, avoid direct confrontation with the other party. If they contact you to settle, keep records of all messages and payments. Do not accept cash or sign a waiver unless you understand its effect. For serious offences, large losses, injury, arrest risk, travel concerns, or cases involving a company, speak to a licensed UAE criminal lawyer as early as possible.

This article is general information about UAE law, not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different. For advice on your own case, speak to a licensed UAE lawyer.

Related reading

• UAE Cybercrime Law: Offences, Penalties and Risks
• Social Media Defamation in the UAE: Law and Penalties
• Bounced Cheques in the UAE: Civil and Criminal Risks

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