News

The ADGM Registration Authority (RA) has identified a serious case of misconduct involving the Public Relations Officer (PRO) engaged by a retail business in ADGM. An investigation confirmed that the retailer had been provided with, and publicly displayed, a falsified ADGM Commercial Licence. The PRO, engaged to renew the licence, took payment but never submitted the renewal to the RA. Instead, the PRO falsely claimed the renewal was completed and issued the retailer a fabricated licence, which the retailer then displayed on its premises.

Important Notice:

The RA strongly advises all retailers and ADGM entities to:

• Implement strong controls and oversight over all regulatory documentation processes, including work permits;
• Ensure documents are authentic, valid, and current;
• Use the free Document Verification tool on the ADGM Portal to confirm a document’s authenticity via the printed verification code; and
• Immediately report any irregularities or concerns to the ADGM RA via the complaints portal.

Additional Compliance Reminder:

• ADGM RA will hold entities accountable for the actions of their staff and representatives. Under the ADGM Companies Regulations 2020, failure to prevent the falsification of company records can result in enforcement sanctions, including fines of up to USD 1,000,000 for serious breaches.
• Compliance is a shared responsibility. Failure to maintain oversight can expose businesses to severe financial and reputational risks.

The ADGM RA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, promoting robust compliance, and safeguarding the trust and confidence that underpin ADGM’s position as a premier international financial centre.