Investor Protection

Is the firm regulated?

Only firms authorised by the FSRA can offer financial services in ADGM.  You should check if a firm is appropriately licensed to offer financial services by the FSRA.

Before you invest: a 4-step check

1. Confirm the firm is authorised for what it’s offering
   Use the FSRA Public Register and match the firm’s or individual’s legal name, permissions, and contact details with what you’ve been given. Don’t rely on links sent by the firm or individual. Many scams “clone” genuine firms.
2. Understand the product and its risks
   Higher returns usually mean higher risk. Make sure you can afford losses and that the product fits your goals and timeline. Diversification helps manage risk.
3. Watch out for hype and trendy offers
   Be cautious of social-media buzz, chat rooms “limited-time offers”, guaranteed and of unusually high returns Take time to verify independently.
4. Get impartial guidance first
   Independent advice can help you assess suitability and risk.

What to do if you suspect a scam

Only firms authorised by the FSRA can offer financial services in ADGM.  You should check if a firm is appropriately licensed to offer financial services by the FSRA.

Then:

1. Verify authorisation via the official FSRA Public Register (never via links sent by the sender).
2. Tell your bank immediately if you shared personal or payment details or sent money. Banks can sometimes intervene.
3. Report it to the FSRA and your local law enforcement authority and keep all records including screenshots.  

Within ADGM

If the matter relates to financial services offered in or from ADGM, the FSRA should generally be your first point of contact. The FSRA will assess whether the issue falls within its regulatory remit and determine whether further action is required. Depending on the circumstances, you may also wish to contact other relevant regulatory, law enforcement, or government authorities.

The FSRA may not be able to assist you directly if your complaint:

• Does not relate to financial services offered in ADGM;
• Does not involve a possible breach of the legislation administered by the FSRA; or
• Does not appear to involve behaviour that could harm to the reputation or trust of the financial services industry in ADGM.

To submit a complaint with the FSRA, you should complete and submit the FSRA Complaints Form.

If your complaint relates to ADGM’s commercial legislation or concerns the conduct of a non-financial businesses registered in ADGM, you may consider submitting a complaint to the ADGM Registration Authority via its Complaints Form.

Outside ADGM

If your complaint concerns the financial services offered within the UAE but outside of ADGM, you may consider addressing your concerns to the relevant authority for their consideration.

• The Central Bank of the UAE is the regulator of banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions in the UAE, excluding the financial free zones.
• Capital Market Authority is the regulator of capital markets, securities, commodities and virtual asset frameworks within the UAE, excluding the financial free zones.
• Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority is the competent authority in charge of regulating, supervising, and overseeing Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Activities in the Emirate of Dubai, but excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre.
• Dubai Financial Services Authority is the independent regulator of financial services conducted in or from the Dubai International Financial Centre.

If your complaint relates to financial services offered outside the UAE, you may consider contacting the relevant regulatory, law enforcement, or government authorities in the jurisdiction where the services were offered.

Criminal Matters

If you suspect your complaint may also involve a crime, you may consider contacting the Abu Dhabi Police.

If the matter relates to a potential crime in another emirate, you may consider contacting the relevant law enforcement authority in that emirate.