Fraud and breach of trust are distinct offences with distinct elements — and the difference decides cases. We act for victims pursuing complaints and recovery, and for the accused challenging allegations that are civil disputes dressed as crimes.
Under the UAE Penal Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021), fraud and breach of trust are separate offences with different building blocks. Fraud requires deception — fraudulent means, a false identity or attribute — used to induce the victim to hand over money or property. Breach of trust arises where property was handed over lawfully in the first place — under a trust-based arrangement such as agency, deposit, or partnership — and was then embezzled, used, or disposed of contrary to that arrangement. The distinction matters enormously: it determines what the prosecution must prove, what defences exist, and whether the matter is truly criminal at all.
A large share of these cases sit on the borderline between crime and a commercial dispute. Not every unpaid debt, failed venture, or broken promise is fraud — and the courts consistently distinguish criminal deception from mere non-performance of a contract. We act on both sides of that line: building properly evidenced complaints for genuine victims, coupled with civil recovery strategy; and defending clients against complaints used as pressure tactics in what are, in law, civil disputes.
Drafting and pursuing fraud and breach of trust complaints, with the evidence organised around the legal elements.
Civil recovery claims running alongside the criminal case — attachment, execution, and asset tracing where possible.
Defending accused clients by attacking the elements: no deception, lawful possession, genuine commercial dispute.
Negotiating and documenting settlements and waivers where reconciliation can end or mitigate the case.
Advising businesses on partner, employee, and agent disputes before they escalate into criminal complaints.
See also: Financial & White-Collar Crime · Cheque & Financial Dishonour Cases.
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