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Found a wallet in Dubai? Here’s what the new law says you must do

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If you come across a lost item in Dubai, whether it’s a wallet, jewellery, electronics, or anything valuable, there’s now a new set of rules on what you must do next.

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. (17) of 2025 regulating how lost and abandoned property should be handled in the emirate.

What counts as lost or abandoned property?

Under the new law:

  • Lost Property = items or money that someone accidentally lost, without intending to give them up (not including stray animals).
  • Abandoned Property = items or money intentionally left behind by the owner (also excluding animals).

What you must do if you find something

If you find a valuable item in Dubai:
Register it with Dubai Police through their electronic system within 24 hours
Hand it over within 48 hours
You cannot use it or keep it unless officially approved later

Failing to follow the rules may lead to criminal penalties and fines.

Dubai Police will record all details, description, condition, where it was found, who found it, date and time, and store the item safely.

Can the finder receive a reward?

The Dubai Police may:

  • Give a certificate of appreciation, or reward 10 per cent of the item’s value (up to Dh50,000)
  • The reward can be granted whether or not the owner comes forward.

Can the finder eventually keep the item?

Possibly. If the owner does not come forward within one year, the finder may request to keep it — under conditions set by Dubai Police.

Rights of the original owner

The original owner can:

  • Claim their property before Dubai Police dispose of it
  • Claim its value within three years if it was sold
  • Recover it even if it was handed to someone else, provided the law was followed

If multiple people claim the item, it will be awarded based on a final court ruling.

Penalties

Violations may result in:
Dh500 – Dh100,000 fines (doubling up to Dh200,000 for repeated offences)
Written warnings and mandatory correction deadlines

All public and private organisations must cooperate and hand in lost or abandoned items within the legal timelines.

When does the law take effect?

The law is effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette and replaces Law No. (5) of 2015.

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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Visiting Wafi Mall? Your parking can now be paid through Salik

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Parking at Wafi Mall has gone fully digital.

Parkonic has introduced its ticketless parking system at the popular Dubai mall, allowing motorists to pay parking fees automatically through their Salik accounts or by scanning a QR code before leaving.

When drivers enter the car park, their vehicle’s number plate is automatically scanned, creating a digital parking ticket without the need for paper tickets or parking machines.

Parking charges

  • First 3 hours: Free
  • 3–4 hours: Dh15
  • Each additional hour (or part): Dh10

Parking charges apply Monday to Friday, while parking remains free on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Drivers who leave and return after using their three free hours will be treated as a new entry. However, to receive another three hours of free parking on the same day, there must be a two-hour gap between visits.

There are no cash payment options or parking machines at the site. Visitors without a Salik account, or those with insufficient balance, must pay using an alternative payment method before exiting.

Loading bay vehicles are eligible for one extra hour of free parking once validated.

Parkonic warned that motorists who fail to pay the required parking fees could face fines, blacklisting or legal action.

The operator has been expanding its ticketless parking network across the UAE, with recent rollouts at West Yas Plaza, Yas Bay, Yas Marina, selected Choithrams stores, Discovery Gardens and Palm Jumeirah Crescent.

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Four-day deadline for Sharjah motorists to claim impounded vehicles

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If your vehicle has been impounded in Sharjah, now is the time to check.

Sharjah City Municipality has given owners of impounded vehicles, machinery, motorcycles and bicycles four days to complete the necessary release procedures or risk having their property sold at a public auction.

The warning applies to vehicles and equipment that have remained impounded for more than six months.

Owners are required to visit the Control and Inspection Department in Industrial Area 5 to resolve the reason for the impoundment and complete the legal procedures needed to recover their property.

After the deadline, any unclaimed vehicles or equipment will be put up for public auction.

To help owners, the municipality has published a list of all affected vehicles on its official website, allowing residents to check whether their vehicle is included before visiting the department.

The move is part of Sharjah Municipality’s ongoing efforts to regulate impounded assets and encourage owners to complete the required procedures within the specified timeframe.


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UAE motorists face Dh500 fine for carrying extra passengers

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Abu Dhabi Police are reminding motorists not to carry more passengers than their vehicle is designed for, warning that overcrowded cars significantly increase the risk of serious injuries and fatal crashes.

Officials said exceeding a vehicle’s approved passenger capacity can leave some occupants without seat belts, reduce the driver’s control of the vehicle and make accidents more likely.

Drivers have been urged to ensure every passenger is seated in a designated seat and wearing a seat belt before setting off.

Motorists caught carrying more passengers than permitted face a Dh500 fine, four black points on their driving licence and seven days of vehicle impoundment.

Abu Dhabi Police stressed that following passenger limits is a basic road safety requirement and reminded drivers that protecting everyone inside the vehicle is a shared responsibility.

The number of passengers per car: 

Most private cars and sedans allow up to 4 passengers plus the driver. Larger SUVs or vans can seat up to 6 to 7 passengers or more, depending on their registered design. 


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