The UAE’s digital economy is expanding faster than ever, and with thousands of businesses shifting to online selling, regulators have tightened Anti-Money Laundering (AML) expectations for e-commerce platforms, freelancers, digital retailers, and online marketplace sellers.

In 2025, the UAE introduced updated AML guidelines specifically aimed at online businesses, ensuring that digital platforms do not become a gateway for illegal financial activity. Many criminals have moved from physical transactions to online systems, using the anonymity and speed of digital payments to disguise illicit funds.

For online sellers, marketplace operators, accountants, and compliance teams, understanding these new AML rules is essential. Firms like Swenta help digital businesses structure proper compliance frameworks and avoid penalties.

Why Criminals Target High-Value Sectors — Parallel Risks for E-Commerce

Money launderers continue to focus on real estate for reasons such as high-value transactions, fewer historical controls, and the ability to hide ownership. These same vulnerabilities also appear in online selling, especially when:

• digital transactions are processed rapidly

• customer identities are unclear

• high-value goods (electronics, jewellery, collectibles) are sold online

• payment channels lack transparency

As the UAE strengthens its AML ecosystem, e-commerce companies must be prepared to detect and prevent suspicious activity in this new dynamic digital environment.

The Risk-Based Approach (RBA) — Now Mandatory for Online Sellers in 2025

A Risk-Based Approach is no longer optional. The UAE expects all e-commerce and digital service businesses to identify where their risks are highest and apply enhanced controls accordingly.

Under the updated 2025 guidelines:

Online sellers must:

✔ Identify high-risk customers
✔ Review unusual orders or payment methods
✔ Assess the nature and purpose of large or unusual purchases
✔ Examine cross-border payments closely
✔ Apply stronger monitoring for high-risk goods such as luxury items, gold, electronics, or digital assets

Following FATF’s standards, the Ministry of Economy has made the RBA central to AML compliance for Digital Businesses & DNFBPs.

AML consultants in Dubai—such as those at Swenta—help online businesses build practical RBA frameworks that suit digital transactions.

Key AML Steps E-Commerce Businesses Must Follow in 2025

To comply with updated UAE standards, online sellers must implement a structured AML system. These steps mirror the controls expected across other high-risk industries but are tailored for digital operations.

1. Know Your Customer (KYC) for Online Buyers

Even though transactions are digital, online sellers must still verify customer identity when risk levels are high.

Examples of when KYC is required:

• Orders exceeding normal purchase amounts

• Purchases of luxury or resale-sensitive items

• High-risk jurisdiction customers

• Payment by third parties

KYC includes verifying:
• customer name and ID
• address
• source of funds when necessary
• beneficial ownership for business buyers

2. Understanding the Purpose of the Transaction

Online sellers must assess:

• Why the customer is purchasing

• Whether the order aligns with typical buying behavior

• Whether multiple accounts link back to the same person

• If order values match customer profiles

Signs of suspicious activity include bulk purchases of easily resold items or inconsistent order patterns.

3. Monitoring Payment Methods

E-commerce platforms often accept multiple payment options—cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, and sometimes cryptocurrencies (depending on platform rules).

Red flags include:

• Payments from unrelated third parties

• Refund requests to different accounts

• Use of multiple payment methods for a single order

• Offshore accounts for local orders

These require enhanced due diligence.

4. Tracking High-Risk Goods and Listings

Criminals use online stores to move illegal value by buying, reselling, or shipping certain items.

High-risk goods include:
✔ jewellery
✔ electronics
✔ high-end fashion
✔ collectibles
✔ digital gift cards

Monitoring these categories is essential.

5. Ongoing Customer Monitoring

As with real estate or financial services, online sellers must watch for changes in customer activity.

Examples:

• sudden increase in order size

• frequent refunds

• orders placed from multiple IP addresses

• purchases routed through high-risk regions

Consistent monitoring helps detect emerging risks early.

Why Supervisors Are Increasing Scrutiny of E-Commerce in 2025

The AMLD (Anti-Money Laundering & CFT Supervision Department), established under the UAE Central Bank, has intensified its supervision across digital sectors.

Reasons for increased attention include:

1. Rapid Expansion of Digital Trade

Online platforms have become a significant part of the UAE economy.

2. FATF expectations for stronger digital oversight

Global standards now require countries to regulate online marketplaces more rigorously.

3. Misuse of online platforms by criminal networks

Fraudsters employ e-commerce for layering, value transfer, and disguising transaction origins.

4. New, emerging online sellers lacking AML awareness

Small e-commerce businesses may unintentionally become channels for criminal activity.

Supervisors expect businesses to adopt compliance tools, train employees, and use technology for record-keeping and transaction analysis. Accounting firms like Swenta guide companies through these obligations.

A Focus on Weak or High-Risk Digital Markets

Some sectors of the online economy pose greater AML risks.

UAE authorities are focusing on:

• New online sellers entering the market without KYC processes

• Platforms allowing anonymous transactions

• High-value product listings

• Businesses with unclear ownership structures

• Sellers dealing with customers in high-risk jurisdictions

These sectors must adopt stronger AML measures immediately.

Practical Steps for E-Commerce AML Compliance in 2025

UAE online sellers should implement the following systems to stay compliant:

✔ Create AML checklists for digital due diligence

Simplifies review of orders, payments, and customers.

✔ Use technology and automated tools

Risk scoring, customer screening, and transaction pattern analysis reduce manual workload.

✔ Train employees and platform managers

Especially those handling payments, refunds, customer onboarding, and seller listings.

✔ Set internal policies for high-risk cases

Attach special verification steps to large or unusual transactions.

✔ Monitor activity continuously

Not just at onboarding—patterns matter.

✔ Work with AML advisors in UAE

Professionals such as Swenta provide compliance frameworks, audit readiness, and AML health checks for e-commerce companies.

2025 marks the beginning of a stronger regulatory era for digital commerce in the UAE. With rising online transactions and increasing global scrutiny, regulators expect businesses to demonstrate robust AML systems—especially around customer verification, payment monitoring, and reporting.

E-commerce sellers who invest in compliance today avoid penalties, build customer trust, and protect their platforms from misuse. With the right support—from experts like Swenta—online businesses can stay compliant and competitive in this evolving landscape.