UAE residents are being warned that advertising or selling fake products online isn’t just a shady practice, it’s a criminal offence punishable by hefty fines of up to Dh200,000 and jail time. According to legal expert Adnan Obaid Al Shaali, such acts fall under electronic fraud, as per Article 40 of the Federal Law No. 5 of 2012 on Cybercrimes.

Using fake social media accounts or websites to deceive buyers into purchasing non-existent or counterfeit goods could lead to serious legal consequences, not just minor commercial penalties.

Article 11 of the same law also covers the creation of fake websites or accounts falsely attributed to individuals or entities, carrying penalties of:

• Imprisonment
• A fine between Dh50,000 and Dh200,000, or both.

If the fake platform is used to defame the person or business it impersonates, the penalty increases to a minimum of two years in jail.

Bounced cheques: No longer criminal but still enforceable through courts

While bounced cheques are no longer a criminal offence in most cases, thanks to recent legal reforms in the UAE Commercial Transactions Law,  they remain legally enforceable through civil courts.

Here’s how cheque holders can recover their money:

Step 1:

Obtain an official bank notification or endorsement on the back of the cheque confirming “insufficient funds,” along with a certificate detailing the issuer’s account status.

Step 2:

Submit an Execution Request to the civil court, attaching:

• The bounced cheque
• The bank certificate
• Proof of debt

Step 3:

The court will notify the debtor, who must settle the amount within 15 days of receiving the notice.

As a precaution, cheque holders can request the court to impose a travel ban on the debtor until the amount is paid.

However, a bounced cheque may still lead to criminal action if used in:

• Fraudulent schemes
• Forgery
• Intentional balance withdrawal before the due date
• Illegal instructions to banks to block payments

Real vs Replica vs Fake: What Every Shopper Should Know in Dubai

When shopping in Dubai, whether online or at bustling markets like the Gold Souk, it’s essential to understand the difference between real, replica, and fake products. Many store profiles, especially online sellers, label their goods as “first copy,” “second copy,” or “third copy”, terms that refer to how closely a product resembles the original.

Here’s how to tell them apart:

 Real (Original)

• Manufactured by the official brand.
• Highest quality and craftsmanship.
• Sold only in authorised stores or official retail outlets.
• Comes with genuine certification, warranty, and support.

 Replica (First/Second/Third Copy)

• First Copy: High-quality imitation, closely resembles the original, often using similar materials.
• Second/Third Copy: Lower-grade replicas with more noticeable differences in design and durability.
• Replicas are not the same as fakes, some brands are aware of or even unofficially approve licensed replicas for a share of profit.
• Typically half the price of the real product, but still far more expensive than outright fakes.

Fake (Knockoff)

• Poor imitations made without permission.
• Often bear a copied logo or name but lack accuracy, quality, or safety standards.
• Materials used may be substandard or even harmful (e.g., unsafe chemicals in cosmetics or dangerous electronics).
• May not function properly, and buyers have no recourse if anything goes wrong.

Common Tourist Mistakes in Dubai

Even savvy travellers can fall for scams. Here are some real-life examples to watch out for:

Stick to official stores: Always buy expensive or branded items, such as watches, electronics, or jewellery, from licensed shopping malls or official outlets, not market stalls or

At the Gold Souk: There are three types of gold, pure gold, not quite gold, and not gold. Unsuspecting tourists can be sold base metals as “22K gold” in less reputable shops.

Too-good-to-be-true gadgets: If someone offers you the latest iPhone for Dh800 on the street, run. It may have an Android OS, dual SIM, a micro USB port, and be worth just Dh150 elsewhwere.