The crime rate in the United Arab Emirates is relatively low^[1][2] compared to more highly industrialized nations.^[2] Incidents of petty crime such as pickpocketing are low.^[1] The United States Department of State states: "Crime generally is not a problem for travelers in the UAE. However, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to take normal precautions against theft, such as not leaving a wallet, purse, or credit card unattended. Although vehicle break-ins in the UAE are rare, U.S. citizens are encouraged to ensure that unattended vehicles are locked and that valuables are not left out in plain sight".^[3]

Although terrorist attacks are rare, the United Arab Emirates has been listed as a place used by investors to raise funds to support militants.^[4] Businesses based in the UAE have been implicated in the funding of the Taliban and the Haqqani network.^[5] In January 2022, a terrorist attack against three oil tanker trucks and an under construction airport extension infrastructure occurred in Abu Dhabi. The attack was conducted by the Houthi movement and killed 3 civilians.^[6]

Incidents of cybercrime are increasing. In 2002, there was a 300% rise in computer hacking within six months. According to experts, the United Arab Emirates is among the top ten countries which are most vulnerable to attack by hackers.^[7] White-collar crime includes embezzlement of funds, fraud and bribery.^[8]

The UAE is a drug transshipment country for traffickers due to its proximity to Southwest Asian drug producing nations.^[9] Drug trafficking is a major form of crime in the UAE,^[10] and the nation has a zero tolerance policy towards illegal drug use. Possession of the smallest amount of illegal drugs is punishable by a minimum of four years' imprisonment^[11] and a maximum punishment of death.^[12]

The UAE is vulnerable to money laundering due to its position as a major commercial driver in the region.^[9] The UAE leadership has taken several measures for combating organized crime. A law was enacted in January 2002 for the purpose of curbing money laundering.^[10] However, despite government efforts to combat money laundering, regulation of banking is still developing.^[9]

Washington-based Center for Advanced Defense Studies released a report that US sanctioned war profiteers, terror-funders and drug traffickers have been long-using Dubai's real-estate market as a money-laundering haven.^[13]

In a report published in April 2020, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) questioned the UAE’s system despite what it called “significant steps” to strengthen regulations, including new legislation in 2018 and 2019.^[14] In its 2020 assessment, FATF called the Emirates' limited money laundering prosecutions a “concern” and urged the country to strengthen its measures.^[15] In November 2021, the UAE submitted a report to FATF, but the country failed to achieve a number of thresholds.^[16] On 4 March 2022, FATF placed the UAE in its grey list of countries subject to increased monitoring, due to the shortcomings in addressing the issue of money laundering and terror financing. The organization said that the Emirates made “significant progress” in enhancing its systems, but there was still a need for improvements in several areas.^{[17] [18]}

According to the Global Study on Homicide, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the homicide rate in the UAE in 2012 was 2.6 per 100,000.^[19] The average global homicide rate for that period was 6.3 per 100,000 population.

Porous borders and proximity to war-affected countries like Iraq increase the problem of human trafficking into the UAE.^[20] Trafficking into the country is generally of young boys and women. The most usual purpose of such trafficking is involuntary servitude, employment in deceptively undeclared adverse and abusive conditions, and sexual exploitation.^[2]