Purpose

This study aims to examine the possibility of laundering money through the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the perceived risk and the stark reality. That money laundering prevention mechanisms are being circumvented is evident by reference to the international assessments by the Financial Action Task Force and information from key informants. To develop effective improvements, the modus operandi of money laundering needs to be re-examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical findings are based on over 60 semi-standardized interviews with alleged criminal and expert compliance officers operating in an international arena. These findings were subject to a qualitative content analysis, while a further quantitative survey of around 200 compliance officers expanded on the techniques of money laundering. This served to explore whether there was a discrepancy between the presentation of money laundering in the literature in contrast to reality.

Findings

Owing to the transnational nature of money laundering, the global financial market is dependent on the uniformity of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Despite immense progress, there are still several key weaknesses in the financial system of the UAE, such as the existence of Free Zones and the divergence of AML awareness.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of the interviews is limited to the personal experience of the informants. This is mediated by seeking uniformity in answers as well as literature support.

Originality/value

This paper, supported by empirical evidence, discerns why the current regulatory measures are minimally effective. There is an unmistakable need for the international coordination of financial regulatory bodies. The literature describes the occurrence of money laundering, but no studies have engaged to examine the pragmatic mechanism in place which allow money laundering to persevere despite the significant improvements of AML policies.

中文翻译：

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阿拉伯联合酋长国的洗钱：风险与现实

目的

本研究旨在检验通过阿拉伯联合酋长国 (UAE) 洗钱的可能性、感知风险和严峻现实。参考金融行动特别工作组的国际评估和主要知情人提供的信息，可以明显看出洗钱预防机制正在被规避。为了进行有效的改进，需要重新审视洗钱的作案手法。

设计/方法/方法

实证结果基于对在国际舞台上工作的涉嫌犯罪和专家合规官员的 60 多次半标准化访谈。对这些发现进行了定性内容分析，而对约 200 名合规官员的进一步定量调查扩大了洗钱技术。这有助于探讨文献中对洗钱的描述与现实之间是否存在差异。

发现

由于洗钱的跨国性质，全球金融市场依赖于反洗钱（AML）法规的统一性。尽管取得了巨大进展，但阿联酋的金融体系仍然存在几个关键弱点，例如自由区的存在和反洗钱意识的分歧。

研究限制/影响

采访的范围仅限于线人的个人经历。这是通过寻求答案的一致性和文献支持来调节的。

原创性/价值

本文以经验证据为支持，揭示了当前监管措施为何效果最低的原因。显然需要金融监管机构的国际协调。文献描述了洗钱的发生，但没有研究参与检查尽管反洗钱政策有了显着改进，但允许洗钱持续存在的实用机制。