The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) alerts the financial services community and the public about a fraudulent scam that impersonates the DFSA and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and uses false documents purporting to be from the DFSA and the DIFC.

The scammers have issued a “Certificate of Incorporation” bearing the name, address and logo of the DFSA and purportedly signed by the Chairman of the DFSA. The Certificate of Incorporation falsely claims that First Security Service is incorporated by the DFSA. In relation to this document, the DFSA wishes to advise that:

• The DFSA does not incorporate companies and, therefore, does not issue Certificates of Incorporation;
• First Security Services is not, and has never been, authorised or regulated by the DFSA;
• The “Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990” is not a DFSA administered law;
• There is no such authority as Registrar General at the DFSA; and
• The signature on the fake Certificate of Incorporation is not the signature of the Chairman of the DFSA.
Please click here to view the fake Certificate of Incorporation.

The scammers have also issued an “International Money Laundering Clearance Certificate”, bearing the logos of the United Nations and the DIFC, and purportedly bearing the signature of the “DIFC Secretary General”. The Certificate falsely claims that the amount of USD 6,500,000 belonging to the individual mentioned in the certificate has been cleared of all money laundering and terrorism involvement and that the latter can receive such amount. The scammers also requested that the individual mentioned in the certificate invest with First Security Service.

In relation to this document, the DFSA wishes to advise that:
• The DIFC Authority does not issue International Money Laundering Clearance Certificates for the purpose of clearing individuals from involvement in any terrorist activities;
• The false certificate appears to have been produced for a fraudulent and malicious purpose;
• The “DIFC security service Act on transfer/receival of money” does not exist;
• There is no such authority as the “DIFC Secretary General”;
• The name of the individual which appears on the fake International Money Laundering Clearance Certificate has been used without authority and for a malicious purpose;
• The name and logo of the United Nations appears to have been used without authority and for a malicious purpose; and
• The signatures which appear on the fake International Money Laundering Clearance Certificate are also fake.
Please click here to view the fake International Money Laundering Clearance Certificate.

The DFSA strongly advises that you do not respond to any communications from First Security Service or relating to this scam, and under no circumstances should you send or give any money to any party in connection with the scam.

The DFSA has a page on its website dedicated to alerts which it has issued about scams. All alerts issued by the DFSA may be accessed by going to: ALERTS

The DFSA has also issued warnings and guidance about the common types of scams perpetrated on consumers. For more information on these scams, please go to: HOW TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED

The DFSA encourages consumers to refer to the list of regulated Firms and Authorised Individuals licensed by the DFSA that is available on the DFSA's PUBLIC REGISTER

If you have any concerns about the authenticity of any correspondence or documents that purport to be issued by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), DFSA or a DFSA regulated Firm, you should direct your concerns to the DIFC on Tel:+971 4 362 2222 and to the DFSA via the DFSA Complaints function on: COMPLAINTS