How can I recover money lost on an unlicensed online gaming site in the UAE?

Hello,

If you have proof or account numbers here in the UAE, or WhatsApp numbers you were in contact with, we can open a criminal fraud case, recover your money, and claim compensation.

However, we need more details for further discussion. Please share your WhatsApp number.

Have a good day.

This is a criminal offense under UAE law and constitutes cyber fraud and misappropriation of funds.

You can file a criminal complaint first, and then pursue the matter in civil court.

For further information in the future, please contact us via WhatsApp, and a member of our legal team will respond to you.

Greetings,

Based on the details you mentioned regarding the online seller who received payment but failed to deliver the product, it is advisable to begin by sending a formal legal notice to the individual or company involved. If they fail to respond or resolve the issue, the next step would be to file a fraud complaint or initiate a legal claim to recover the amount paid, in addition to any applicable fees and your right to seek compensation.

Please ensure that you preserve all evidence — including proof of payment, WhatsApp messages, social media chats, invoices, or any correspondence — as these will serve as strong supporting evidence for your case.

If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Ahmed Harb Law Firm – AE

Dear client,

We must check if the company is running in the UAE, so if yes, then we can file the case accordingly.

Contact us for more details.

This is an E-Crime case; you need to make a police report via SPS (Smart Police Station).

Be advised that recovering money lost on an unlicensed online gaming site in the UAE is challenging, but possible through legal channels.

You should gather all evidence of deposits, withdrawals, and communications with the platform, and file a complaint with Dubai Police or the relevant emirate’s cybercrime unit, as unlicensed gambling is illegal. You can also report the site to the UAE Consumer Protection or TRA for false licensing claims. If the site operates outside the UAE, recovery may require international legal action.

For more details, please share your WhatsApp number; our team will contact you immediately to guide you through the process.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing the details of your situation. I understand the severe financial and personal impact this has caused, and I will outline the legal framework and options available under UAE law.

Legal Status of Online Gaming in the UAE

Online gaming platforms must be licensed by the relevant UAE authorities to operate legally. If a platform operates without a license, it is considered illegal under UAE law. Unfortunately, many such platforms attract users under false claims of legality, leading to financial losses.

Options for Recovery

• Filing a Criminal Complaint: You may file a case with the UAE Police or Public Prosecution for fraud. The case will focus on the unlicensed operation and the misleading claims made by the platform.
• Civil Recovery Case: A separate civil claim can be filed to attempt recovery of funds paid to the platform, particularly if you have proof of payments, screenshots, or transaction records.
• Evidence Collection: Ensure you have all transaction receipts, screenshots of communications, and any advertising claiming the platform was licensed. This is critical to strengthen your claim.

Challenges in Recovery

Many unlicensed online platforms are operated outside the UAE, which may make direct recovery difficult.

Enforcement of any judgment against a foreign operator may require additional legal processes, including international cooperation.

Our Assistance

Given the complexity of pursuing legal action against an unlicensed platform, our firm can handle the entire process on your behalf, including:

• Lodging a formal complaint with the UAE authorities
• Filing a civil recovery case
• Collecting and presenting evidence
• Coordinating with international authorities if required

We can provide you with a step-by-step plan and manage all proceedings to maximize the chance of recovering at least part of your funds.

Please let us know if you wish to proceed so we can take immediate action.

Best regards,

Mohammad Salah, Legal Consultant

Greetings,

Losing money through an online gaming platform operating without a proper UAE licence is a serious matter. In such cases, there may be legal options to pursue, including filing a complaint with the relevant authorities and taking action against the operators if they are violating UAE laws.

However, the ability to recover any amount depends on several factors, such as the platform’s location, method of payment, and available evidence. A detailed legal assessment is required to determine the best course of action.

To properly evaluate your case and guide you on the legal steps for possible recovery, we recommend booking a consultation with Future Vision for Advocacy and Legal Consultancy, or you may authorize our office to proceed on your behalf.

You are dealing with losses from an illegal/unlicensed online gambling platform, which makes recovery difficult but not always impossible, especially if they falsely claimed to be “licensed in the UAE”. We have handled a partially similar situation where the platform misled users about its legality; by combining a criminal complaint and civil claim strategy, we obtained a partial recovery and stopped further targeting of our client.

There is more than one possible legal angle: misrepresentation and fraud by the operator or its local promoters, complaints through cybercrime and regulatory channels, and pressure on payment intermediaries if transfers and chats clearly show deception. The real strength of your case will depend on proof of payments, screenshots, chats where they claimed to be licensed, and how recent the transactions are.

To evaluate whether you have a realistic refund path and avoid steps that could expose you to risk, you can contact Mohamad Eaid Esreb, so RASHID ALKAITOOB ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS can review your documents and design the safest recovery strategy possible for your situation.

This response is provided by RASHID ALKAITOOB ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS based solely on the information you have provided and does not constitute a final legal opinion. A binding legal assessment can only be given after reviewing the full documents of the case.

Greetings from Dr. Khalifa Bin Huwaiden Advocates & Legal Consultants.

Legality and Licensing of the Site

If the site does not have a license in the UAE, its operations are illegal. Even if many people in the UAE use it, this does not reduce your right to file a complaint, though it may support your case.

Filing a Complaint

The first step is to report the matter to the UAE police or the Cyber Crime Unit.

Prepare the following documents:

• Financial transactions (bank card statements, deposits, withdrawals)
• Chats or communications with the site
• Any advertisements or claims of licensing that the site presented to you

Possible Legal Actions

• The police may open an online fraud case.
• If the site is based outside the UAE, the police may pursue international cooperation.
• In many cases, recovering the full amount is difficult, but partial recovery or legal proceedings may be possible.

Important Notes

• Never pursue illegal sites personally (e.g., direct contact or threats).
• Keep all documentation safe.
• Consult a UAE lawyer specializing in cybercrime and online fraud.

Authorization for Legal Representation

By granting power of attorney to our legal team, you can legally and safely defend your rights, and we can handle all necessary actions to pursue your case without stress. We have the experience and expertise to ensure your matter is handled quickly, safely, and with the best possible outcome. We are ready to provide online legal assistance whenever you need it.

Hello,

As per your query please note that since it's an online scam, you can make an e-crime police complaint and also complain to the VARA authority. Please note that if the e-complaint is not successful, then you can claim compensation against the company if it is based in the UAE.

Please contact us by email, call or WhatsApp.