Financial Crime, Asset Tracing and Regulatory Investigations

Hadef & Partners has a committed financial crime and asset tracing practice dedicated to pursuing recovery of assets derived from fraudulent activities, corruption, and other economic crimes. Our team has extensive experience in conducting complex multi-jurisdictional asset tracing investigations to identify and follow the trail of misappropriated funds or ill-gotten gains. We work closely with forensic accountants, digital forensics experts, and private investigators to gather critical evidence and intelligence.

We are involved in the majority of large anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, asset recovery litigation disputes which arise in the UAE. This includes representative and enforcement matters for sovereigns and court appointed trustees in their strategic recovery efforts. Our large Dispute Resolution team has a market-leading reputation in this sector, combining abundant court resources with highly knowledgeable and experienced lawyers, the majority of whom hold rights of audience in all UAE courts.

Our asset recovery approach integrates robust legal strategies with cutting-edge investigative techniques. We pursue urgent interim relief measures such as freezing orders and injunctions to prevent dissipation of assets. We then advance multi-pronged legal actions through criminal, civil and regulatory proceedings to attachment and repatriation of assets. Our lawyers leverage deep knowledge of UAE laws on financial crimes, money laundering, insolvency, and private international law to develop innovative asset recovery solutions tailored to each case's unique circumstances. With our global network, we are well-equipped to pursue assets across borders through offshore litigation and enforcement of foreign judgments and orders.

Hadef & Partners also has a long-standing and growing profile in Corporate Investigations, founded on specialist knowledge drawn principally from our Emirati lawyers, who are highly familiar with the UAE courts, systems and customs. They are supported by bilingual English/Arabic speaking international lawyers.

Furthermore, Hadef & Partners are one of the few firms in the UAE operating on an international level and having UAE advocates with full rights of audience that are able to represent clients before the Police, Public Prosecution and Criminal Courts in the UAE. Our practical experience before the authorities, including in representing other government and regulatory entities, gives us an invaluable edge in this field. This applies to both assisting with the prosecution of financial crime, as well as representing clients accused of such allegations and ensuring they are afforded due process.

Our accomplished team also boasts unparalleled expertise in conducting investigations in the workplace on matters surrounding the intricate realm of financial fraud, misconduct, and embezzlement. With a proven track record of successfully navigating the complex intersection of employment law and financial crime, our team possesses a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and the intricate nuances of these investigations. Our approach blends meticulous attention to detail with a commitment to safeguarding the rights of both employers and employees, ensuring that the truth is uncovered while upholding the principles of justice and fairness.

• Represented a major sovereign entity in several of the largest high-profile fraud and Ponzi scheme cases in the world.
• Acted as a special master in US Court proceedings, successfully investigating and determining the legitimacy of a quarter-billion-dollar loan allegedly originating from the Middle East which resulted in our forensic findings being adopted by the US Court.
• Represented and assisted a client in defending a criminal investigation based on incorrect allegations of money laundering and embezzlement in excess of US$4 billion.
• After securing one of the earliest instances of the enforcement of a UK judgment in the UAE in the amount of US$10 million, we obtained a landmark judgement unwinding the transfer of assets to third parties carried out in advance of the commencement of legal proceedings.
• Acted for a foreign investment authority in a major cross-border shareholder dispute with the founder of the company involving DIFC, Onshore, criminal, and LCIA proceedings.
• Successfully represented a private equity backed company in a multi-jurisdictional shareholder dispute of a publicly listed group valued at US$300 million, involving numerous court proceedings and culminating in the criminal prosecution of the adverse party, a senior executive and major shareholder in the group.
• Acted for and assisted a government entity in investigating and prosecuting instances of fraud committed by suppliers relying on forged certifications in order to conceal the origins of illegitimate goods and evade the relevant regulatory requirements.
• Directly acted for and advised a major regulatory body in the UAE dealing with crypto assets in respect of managing the enforcement procedures for such assets through the Court.
• Provided expert evidence in US foreign proceedings relating to unsubstantiated multi-billion-dollar allegations of money laundering, involving three of the world’s largest banks. As a result of the evidence provided, the proceedings were dismissed with prejudice.
• Acted for the MENA division of a publicly traded entity in investigating and substantiating allegations of embezzlement, bribery, and fraudulent expense claims by a senior executive holding positions in various entities in the group. We were able to secure a favorable settlement for the group resulting in restitution being made to the company and the quiet exit of the senior executive.