Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ABUDHABI4426
2003-10-01 11:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAE CENTRAL BANK ACTIONS ON MONEY LAUNDERING
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 03/20/2007 05:14:02 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: UNCLASSIFIED SIPDIS TELEGRAM October 01, 2003 To: No Action Addressee Action: Unknown From: AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 4426 - ROUTINE) TAGS: EFIN, ETTC, PTER, ECON Captions: None Subject: UAE CENTRAL BANK ACTIONS ON MONEY LAUNDERING Ref: None _________________________________________________________________ UNCLAS ABU DHABI 04426 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: ECON INFO: P/M POL AMB DCM Laser1: INFO: FCS DISSEMINATION: ECON CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:MMWAHBA DRAFTED: ECON:OJOHN CLEARED: ECON:CMARTIN-CRUMPLER VZCZCADI202 RR RUEHC RUEHZM RUEATRS DE RUEHAD #4426 2741109 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011109Z OCT 03 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1910 INFO RUEHZM/GCC COLLECTIVE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004426
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT, INL/ENT, EB/ESC
STATE PASS FEDERAL RESERVE
TREASURY FOR ZARATE, GLASER, AND MURDEN
E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: EFIN ETTC PTER ECON TC
SUBJECT: UAE CENTRAL BANK ACTIONS ON MONEY LAUNDERING
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004426
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT, INL/ENT, EB/ESC
STATE PASS FEDERAL RESERVE
TREASURY FOR ZARATE, GLASER, AND MURDEN
E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: EFIN ETTC PTER ECON TC
SUBJECT: UAE CENTRAL BANK ACTIONS ON MONEY LAUNDERING
1. (U) During the Annual Meetings of the IMF/WB in
Dubai, the UAE Central Bank released detailed
information on its money laundering investigations
over the last two years. According to Assistant
Executive Director Abdulrahim Sinkais Al-Awadi (in
charge of the Anti Money Laundering and Suspicious
Cases Unit (AMLSCU)),the AMLSCU analyzed 429
suspicious transactions reports received from banks
and other financial institutions between August
2001 and May 2003. Nine cases have been prosecuted
for money laundering and seizure of assets and are
in the process of judgment. Twelve cases are being
prosecuted. In 25 cases, accounts have been frozen
and the cases referred to the prosecutor's office.
2. (U) Al-Awadi also discussed international
cooperation between the AMLSCU and other Financial
Intelligence Units (FIU). He said that the AMLSCU
provides information to other FIUs whether or not
it has an MOU regarding information sharing, but
that other countries, including the US and UK
require a MOU to share information. The UAE has
referred 58 cases for assistance and has frozen 13
accounts based on information received. According
to Al-Awadi, however, the AMLSCU has not received a
response for most of its requests for assistance.
Other FIUS have referred about 164 cases to the
AMLSCU for assistance. As a result of these
requests, the AMLSCU investigated and froze 23
accounts and provided information in all cases. In
addition, the UAE has frozen 18 accounts totaling
over $3 million in response to UNSC anti terrorist
financing resolutions.
3. (U) Finally, Al-Awadi noted that the Central
Bank has conducted 58 workshops on money laundering
and terrorist finance for banks and other financial
institutions.
4. (SBU) Comment: This is the most detailed
information that we have seen the central bank
publicly release on anti-money laundering
activities. Based on our previous conversations
with Al-Awadi, we believe that his remarks about
the need for an MOU between the U.S. and the UAE
refer to the MLAT currently under negotiation.
End Comment.
Wahba
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT, INL/ENT, EB/ESC
STATE PASS FEDERAL RESERVE
TREASURY FOR ZARATE, GLASER, AND MURDEN
E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: EFIN ETTC PTER ECON TC
SUBJECT: UAE CENTRAL BANK ACTIONS ON MONEY LAUNDERING
1. (U) During the Annual Meetings of the IMF/WB in
Dubai, the UAE Central Bank released detailed
information on its money laundering investigations
over the last two years. According to Assistant
Executive Director Abdulrahim Sinkais Al-Awadi (in
charge of the Anti Money Laundering and Suspicious
Cases Unit (AMLSCU)),the AMLSCU analyzed 429
suspicious transactions reports received from banks
and other financial institutions between August
2001 and May 2003. Nine cases have been prosecuted
for money laundering and seizure of assets and are
in the process of judgment. Twelve cases are being
prosecuted. In 25 cases, accounts have been frozen
and the cases referred to the prosecutor's office.
2. (U) Al-Awadi also discussed international
cooperation between the AMLSCU and other Financial
Intelligence Units (FIU). He said that the AMLSCU
provides information to other FIUs whether or not
it has an MOU regarding information sharing, but
that other countries, including the US and UK
require a MOU to share information. The UAE has
referred 58 cases for assistance and has frozen 13
accounts based on information received. According
to Al-Awadi, however, the AMLSCU has not received a
response for most of its requests for assistance.
Other FIUS have referred about 164 cases to the
AMLSCU for assistance. As a result of these
requests, the AMLSCU investigated and froze 23
accounts and provided information in all cases. In
addition, the UAE has frozen 18 accounts totaling
over $3 million in response to UNSC anti terrorist
financing resolutions.
3. (U) Finally, Al-Awadi noted that the Central
Bank has conducted 58 workshops on money laundering
and terrorist finance for banks and other financial
institutions.
4. (SBU) Comment: This is the most detailed
information that we have seen the central bank
publicly release on anti-money laundering
activities. Based on our previous conversations
with Al-Awadi, we believe that his remarks about
the need for an MOU between the U.S. and the UAE
refer to the MLAT currently under negotiation.
End Comment.
Wahba