White-Collar & Financial Crimes

Business-focused legal support for white-collar & financial crimes in the UAE, helping companies reduce risk and move forward with

White-Collar & Financial Crimes

From fraud and embezzlement to cryptocurrency scams and corporate espionage – we represent both victims pursuing justice and recovery, and individuals or companies facing allegations. Discreet, strategic, and experienced across all forums.

In-depth description

White-collar crime, fraud, and corporate misconduct are serious matters that require experienced, discreet legal counsel – whether you are a victim seeking justice and recovery, or an individual or company facing allegations.

 

White-Collar Crimes

We provide dedicated legal support for victims of white-collar crimes seeking justice and asset recovery. Concurrently, we offer a discreet and strategic defense for individuals and corporations accused of such offenses, focusing on protecting the rights, reputation, and freedom of every client we serve.

Scope of work

  • For Victims: Provide legal support to seek justice and asset recovery, including coordinating with authorities and filing civil/criminal cases.
  • For the Accused: Offer a discreet and strategic defense, protecting the rights, reputation, and freedom of the individual or corporation at every stage of the legal process.

Deliverables

  • A comprehensive case strategy for recovery or defense.
  • Full representation in all legal proceedings.

Pricing

  • AED 15,000 – AED 5,000,000
    Cumulative assessment – billed Hourly and Lump Sum (concluded with a Success Fee).

  • Primary Determinants of Pricing
    Documentation review, risk analysis, strategy setting, AED 15,000+.
    Three month, multi-country, multi-procedure (arbitration, commercial/criminal), phased approach (court, negotiation, settlement), dispute management, AED 250,000 – AED 500,000.
    Full fledged dispute and execution through judicial proceedings, AED 5,000,000.

  • Stake of dispute, amount embezzled, corporate position of the accused, operational leverage, number of parties, corporate structure, annual turnover, number of countries of affected operations, forensic analysis available etc.

 

Cryptocurrency & Investment Scams

We are staunch advocates for victims of cryptocurrency and investment scams, focusing on complex asset tracing and recovery actions. In parallel, we provide a sophisticated defense for individuals and entities accused in this emerging area of digital financial crime.

Scope of work

  • For Victims: Lead complex asset tracing and recovery actions.
  • For the Accused: Provide a sophisticated defense for individuals and entities accused in this emerging area of digital financial crime.
  • Our scope involves navigating the technical challenges of these cases, from evidence analysis to strategic representation.

Deliverables

  • An asset tracing and recovery plan.
  • A specialized defense strategy.
  • Full representation.

Pricing

  • AED 15,000 onwards plus success fee (Hourly rate for analysis of the matter and/or out of court proceedings plus success fees)
  • AED 35,000 to AED 1,000,000 onwards plus succees fees (Fixed fee and success fee for court proceedings)
 

 

Deception & Fraud

We work diligently for victims of deception and fraud, building strong cases to pursue justice and financial restitution. We simultaneously provide a vigorous, evidence-based defense for those accused, meticulously challenging the prosecution’s claims to protect our clients from wrongful conviction.

Scope of work

  • For Victims: Build a strong case to pursue justice and financial restitution.
  • For the Accused: Provide a vigorous, evidence-based defense, meticulously challenging the prosecution’s claims.
  • The scope includes full case management from investigation to final judgment.

Deliverables

  • A filed legal case for restitution or a comprehensive defense strategy.
  • Full representation.

Pricing

  • AED 15,000 onwards plus success fee (Hourly rate for analysis of the matter and/or out of court proceedings plus success fees)
  • AED 35,000 to AED 1,000,000 onwards plus succees fees (Fixed fee and success fee for court proceedings)
 

 

Theft of Business Secrets

We act decisively for companies that are victims of corporate espionage, seeking legal remedies to protect their trade secrets and client data. We also provide a customized defense for individuals or entities accused of theft of business secrets, ensuring a fair legal process.

Scope of work

  • For Victims: Take decisive legal action to protect trade secrets and client data, including seeking injunctions.
  • For the Accused: Provide a customized defense for individuals or entities accused, ensuring a fair legal process and protecting their professional reputation.

Deliverables

  • A strategy for legal remedy or defense.
  • Full representation in court.

Pricing

  • AED 15,000 onwards plus success fee (Hourly rate for analysis of the matter and/or out of court proceedings plus success fees)
  • AED 35,000 to AED 1,000,000 onwards plus succees fees (Fixed fee and success fee for court proceedings)
 

 

Corporate Fraud

We represent companies that have fallen victim to fraud, guiding them through internal investigations and recovery efforts. We also offer a tailored and robust defense for corporations and their leadership who are accused of fraudulent activities, protecting both corporate and personal assets.

Scope of work

  • For Victims (the Company): Guide management through internal investigations and recovery efforts.
  • For the Accused: Offer a tailored and robust defense for corporations and their leadership, protecting both corporate and personal assets.
  • Our scope covers all stages, from investigation to litigation.

Deliverables

  • An internal investigation and recovery plan.
  • A comprehensive defense strategy.
  • Full representation.

Pricing

  • AED 15,000 onwards plus success fee (Hourly rate for analysis of the matter and/or out of court proceedings plus success fees)
  • AED 35,000 to AED 1,000,000 onwards plus succees fees (Fixed fee and success fee for court proceedings)

Is your business facing fraud, theft, or a financial crime?

Has an employee stolen money, data, or client relationships?

Internal fraud and theft of business secrets require immediate legal action to stop the damage and recover losses.

Are you or your company accused of a financial crime?

Corporate fraud allegations move fast in the UAE. A defense strategy must be in place from the moment you become aware.

Do you need an internal fraud investigation handled?

Suspected internal wrongdoing must be investigated under legal privilege. We design the process to preserve evidence and rights.

Is a former employee misusing confidential information?

Trade secret theft and data misappropriation are criminal offenses in the UAE. We secure injunctions and prosecute swiftly.

Frequently asked questions

UAE law criminalises fraudulent misrepresentation, false accounting, embezzlement, breach of trust, cheque fraud, and deliberate concealment of material information in commercial transactions. Both intentional acts and reckless conduct can be prosecuted. The 2021 Penal Code reforms strengthened penalties for commercial fraud and corporate crime.
Yes and no. Although UAE criminal law recognises corporate criminal liability in specific circumstances, particularly for financial and commercial crimes, in practice, police, prosecutors and courts prefer judging individuals. Directors and senior officers who ordered, approved or failed to prevent the offence can face personal criminal liability in parallel. Compliance programmes are now a real defence consideration.
 
Act quickly and carefully. Preserve evidence without alerting the suspect. Conduct a confidential internal investigation with legal counsel before involving regulators or police. Consider civil and criminal options in parallel. Reporting obligations may apply to regulated entities, depending on the nature of the conduct.
UAE law strictly prohibits bribery in public and private sectors. Recent reforms aligned enforcement with FATF standards. Companies with cross-border operations must also consider FCPA, UK Bribery Act and EU anti-corruption rules. Robust due diligence, gift policies and third-party screening are now baseline expectations.

Yes, and this is common in UAE commercial disputes involving fraud. A criminal complaint can compel law enforcement to investigate and potentially seize assets, while a civil claim seeks damages recovery. Coordinating both tracks strategically improves the chances of recovering misappropriated funds.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Mehdi Al Ghafari

Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation

Gabriel Elmarzouki

Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation

Get in touch

Other services you might need

Financial crime exposure has civil, criminal and regulatory dimensions that must be managed simultaneously and with precision.

Business Disputes, Arbitration & Litigation

Financial crime cases often run alongside civil disputes. We coordinate criminal strategy with civil recovery action.
Learn more

Regulatory Compliance for UAE Businesses

Preventing financial crime starts with robust internal compliance. We audit and strengthen your existing framework.
Learn more

AML/KYC - Compliance for Financial Institutions

For regulated entities, AML/KYC gaps are a primary source of criminal exposure. We build frameworks that hold up.
Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

Financial crime cases require forensic rigour, courtroom experience and parallel proceedings strategy. We provide all three.

1.

Senior counsel only

White-collar crime cases are handled personally by experienced criminal and commercial lawyers. The stakes are too high for junior involvement – direct senior access from day

2.

Criminal & civil both

We pursue financial crime simultaneously through criminal and civil proceedings. Each track reinforces the other – criminal complaints compel cooperation

3.

Cross-border fluency

Financial crime in the UAE often involves French or European parties and assets in multiple jurisdictions. We coordinate across legal systems – engaging foreign counsel under

More than legal counsel

With you, all the way

Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.

From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.

Ready to move forward?

Book a consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore the right legal and strategic approach for your business.

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Merger and Acquisition
  • Set-up of the Workstreams related to the Transaction
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Tax Due Diligence
  • Negotiating and Drafting the SPA
  • Assistance related to Conditions Precedents
  • Registration of the Transaction with the Authorities
Private Equity
  • Advisory on PE life cycle from Fund Formation, Capital Deployment, M&A, etc.
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Banking &Finance
  • Banking loan documentation negotiation and review including requested securities
  • Account opening requirements and forms
  • Compliance controls upon onboarding as a bank customer and regular updates to allow flawless funds repatriation
  • Escalation if needed with banking authorities and preparing file for litigation
  • Arabic speaker for immediate translation or intermediation with third parties including local authorities.
Commercial
  • Commercial Agency – Contract Drafting and Litigation
  • Rent-Sales Contract – Contract Drafting, Contract Management and Litigation
  • Logistic Services Contract
  • IT Services Contract
  • Intermediary Contract
  • Other Services Contract
Construction
  • FIDIC Short Form of Contract
  • FIDIC Larger or more complex projects (the Construction Contract)
  • FIDIC Contractor doing the Design (Plant and Design-Build Contract)
  • FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Contract
  • Review of Ad Hoc Contracts
  • Assistance for Management of the Contract
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Employment Relationship
  • Assistance during Recruitment Phase with Executive Search Agents or Recruitment Agency
  • Drafting Offer Letter and Employment Contract
  • Drafting Disciplinary Policy and Documentation
  • Registration of Company with Labour Authorities
  • Registration of Employee with Labour Authorities
  • Assistance During Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Termination Strategy and Execution
  • Litigation Services
HR Strategy – Advisory Services
  • Labour Market Analysis
  • Labour Legislation Memo and Manual
  • Analysis of Remuneration Trends, Structures and Composition
  • Labour Taxation
  • Industry Practice reg. bonus, schedule, overtime, leave, length of service, etc.
Business Set-Up and Maintenance
  • Comparative Study on Options Available
  • Legal Memorandum on Corporate and Tax Laws
  • Set-Up Services (Company, Immigration, Labour, Banking, Tax)
  • Nominee Services (Regulated Activity)
  • Shareholders Agreements
  • Board of Directors Structuring
  • Dissolution, Liquidation, Bankruptcy Proceedings
  • Litigation/Arbitration (Manager or Shareholders Dispute)
  • Redomiciliation
Joint Venture and Investors Relationship
  • Set-up of Joint Venture Company
  • Drafting Joint Venture Agreement
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Expatriation Services
  • Employment Package and Contract Review
  • Wealth Management Advisory
  • Tenancy Opportunities and Contract Advisory
  • Medical Insurance Advisory
  • Banking Advisory
  • School Advisory
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
Relocation
  • Resignation Strategy
  • Tax Situation Review
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
  • Administration of the Departure and Legal Representation
Advisory
  • Advisory Services on the Developer (reliability check)
  • Review of Contract with Developer
  • Conveyance of Property and Supervision of the Sales Process
  • Legal Representation for the Purchase/Sales
  • Assistance with Engineers and Contractors
  • Assistance with tenants or holidays home management firm
Litigation
  • Cancellation of Contract
  • Cancellation of Project
  • Disputes regarding Lands
  • Disputes regarding Permits and Licenses
  • Dispute with Engineer or Contractor
Civil Status
  • Amendment of Civil Status (divorced/married) in Home Country
  • Change of Name
  • Transcription of Marriage or Divorce
  • Legalisation Services with Consulate and Embassies
Nationality and Immigration
  • Application for Nationality due to family reasons
  • Coordination Services for Obtaining Nationality based on Investment (more than 40 countries)
  • Immigration Services to Schengen Country (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to GCC countries (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Golden Visa, Nationality)
Succession Planning
  • Overall Estate Planning with Financial and Legal Experts
  • Set-up of Shariah Compliant Foundation or Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Trust (DIFC, UAE, ADGM, Foreign based)
  • Set-up of Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Last Wills in the UAE, Qatar, KSA and various territories, as needed
  • Family Counseling - Mediation of dispute between family members
Inheritance Proceedings
  • In any country where there are assets
  • Court proceedings based on Shariah Law
  • Court proceedings based on Deceased Law
  • Court Proceedings based on Last Will
Crime against the Person and Narcotics
  • Assault, Sexual Abuse, Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Household Theft
  • Threat, Insult, Defamation, Harassment
  • Social Media Crimes
  • IT Crimes
  • Stealing or Misappropriation of Personal Data
  • Narcotics
Business Crimes
  • AML issues
  • Cryptocurrency and other Investment related Scams
  • Breach of Trust
  • Deception and Fraud
  • Theft of business secrets
  • Insolvency related Crimes
  • Accounting Crimes
  • Interpol
Marriages
  • Marriage between French nationals
  • Marriage involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Marriage involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Marriage involving two persons of different nationality
  • Marriage involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws
Divorces
  • Divorce between French nationals
  • Divorce involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Divorce involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Divorce involving two persons of different nationality
  • Divorce involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws