The Craziest Crimes That Only Happen In Dubai

1. Having a Dirty Car

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We’ve all been there haven’t we? We’ve let our SUV’s get a little bit grimy, but hey, it’s not a crime right? Well, if you’re in Dubai... it is! You can even find yourself getting your car towed away and 3,000 Dirham fine. That’s around $800... yikes!

2. Spreading Rumors

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Whilst you might think gossiping ‘ain’t a problem, if you’re in Dubai it certainly is. Under United Arab Emirates law, gossiping poses a threat to “national peace” and can see you get up to three years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $270,000!

3. Public Displays of Affection (PDA)

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From flirty messages on your phone, smooching in a restaurant, to even getting a little bit frisky on the beach, all these forms of PDA have seen tourists from across the world serve jail time. So, if you’re heading to Dubai, I’d leave all that stuff to the bedroom.

4. Taking Pictures of Strangers

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Dubai are very big on protecting the privacy of people in public spaces, so much so that, if you’re caught taking pictures of people without their consent, you can find yourself being fined hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even deported. Be careful when you’re posting a new Insta selfie.

5. Supporting Overseas Charities

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We all like donating to charities close to our hearts, but if you plan on doing this whilst you’re in Dubai you can land yourself in some hot water. Foreigners in Dubai have been arrested and taken to court for simply sharing charity posts on social media, which isn’t very charitable is it?

6. Sharing Crash Pictures

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If you ever come across a crashed plane or car in Dubai, you better not take a picture of it. Dubai have very strict rules when it comes to taking pictures in general and taking a quick snap of a spun-out motor vehicle can leave you facing a fine of up to $500,000 and even deportation.

7. Cleaning your Car

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Remember how I said having a dirty car can get you in serious trouble? Well cleaning your car in a residential space can also result in a lot of trouble. Dubai has strict rules when it comes to washing your car, and instructs people to only clean their vehicles in car parks or petrol stations.

8. Raising Money for Charity

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It’s probably best to just forget about charity whilst you’re in Dubai. Raising money for charity without permission from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, can land you in prison or even deportation... shocking stuff if you ask me!

9. Poppy Seeds

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Carrying food containing poppy seeds is a serious offence in Dubai due to the fact it is a banned substance under UAE law. Visitors to Dubai have found themselves in prison for carrying poppy seeds, so I’d leave them at home. Poppy seeds contain opium, which is a banned in the UAE and can cost you jail time if caught with it!

10. Using a VPN

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Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) isn’t a wish choice if you’re out in Dubai. UAE cyber-laws, like the rest of the laws, are very strict and by using a VPN as you are essentially deceiving the state. If you’re having to go on incognito mode, it’s not worth the fine.

11. Eating or Drinking on Public Transport

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Fancy a bite to eat on the bus through downtown Dubai? Well that ain’t gonna happen. Eating or drinking on public transport is strictly forbidden and can set you back by 100 Dirhams, or about the same cost of a Starbucks in New York. I mean, this one makes sense... no one enjoys someone eating on a busy subway!

12. Swearing on WhatsApp

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Sometimes you receive a WhatsApp message that makes you want to unleash upon a swearing tirade in response, we’ve all been there. However, I wouldn’t recommend doing this in Dubai as swearing on social media is highly illegal. Next time you want to unleash your anger, definitely think before you speak!

13. Swearing in Public

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Just like on social media, it is very much illegal to swear in public whilst you’re in Dubai. The use of the F word, as well as any offensive gestures, is deemed illegal and can land you with a fine of up to $2000. If not a fine, offenders can be jailed... or even deported!

14. Dr*gs

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Like most places in the world, it is very much against the law to possess illegal substances whilst in Dubai. The UAE authorities have a policy of zero tolerance when it comes to dr*gs, whether you are carrying them knowingly, or unknowingly. A few years ago, a British tourist was sentenced to prison for having 0.003g of cannabis on the bottom of his shoe.

15. Falling Victim to S*xual Assault

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Dubai has a somewhat shameful history when it comes to their prosecution of Western women who have fallen victim to s*xual assault. The UAE deem s*x, whether it be consensual or not, outside of marriage to be illegal and therefore punishable by jail, flogging and even stoning to death.

16. Spying on Someone’s Phone

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I’m sure once or twice you’ve had a peak at your partner’s phone. Well, in Dubai this is bad, bad news. Spying on someone’s phone is deemed to be an invasion of one’s privacy and therefore, against UAE law. Ask for their permission before going in for the snoop to avoid jail!

17. Defamatory Social Media Content

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Anything that paints a negative light upon Dubai as a modern city can land you in some trouble. Since 2012, when the UAE introduced strict cyber-security laws, people across Dubai have found themselves in trouble with the state for sharing content on social media that the state aren’t happy about.

18. Naughty Gestures

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Just like swearing, any obscene gestures are deemed strictly against the law. A few years ago, a British tourist was arrested and threatened with six-months in jail for flipping off a taxi driver. This is so normalized in western culture, but keep your hands to yourself if you're vacationing here.

19. Plane Spotting

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Looking out for your favorite planes in Dubai can also lead to a prison sentence. UAE authorities deem the act of plane spotting to be espionage and therefore, a serious offence. If you are thinking about taking a picture of the aircraft you're flying on... think again!

20. Using Fake Currency

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If you’re planning on making a trip to Dubai, I’d recommend not playing Monopoly. Using fake currency in Dubai is seen as an act of fraud and deception. A British man was once detained at an airport in Dubai for unknowingly using fake currency and only narrowly escaped prison.

21. Revealing Clothing

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Anyone who visits Dubai is expected to dress modestly, with women expected to cover up their heads, arms and legs, whilst men are not allowed to wear sleeveless tops. As I’m sure you’ll agree, that can be quite tough in a hot country. This means that swimwear is not allowed in public, so rethink your beachwear if you're planning a holiday here!

22. Cross-Dressing

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The UAE authorities have a zero-tolerance policy regarding cross-dressing. The act of expression is deemed to be strictly against the law and can result in jail time for anyone caught, or suspected of being a cross-dresser. The punishment for this is a AED10,000 fine, or jail... or both!

23. Eating During Ramadan

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Whilst obvious for Muslims across the world, many expats and tourists aren’t aware of the fact that is deemed illegal to eat during the time of Ramadan. However, the UAE authorities tend to let people off for their first offence. You are not allowed to eat, drink, or smoke in public between imsak and iftar!

24. Dancing

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Okay, so maybe dancing isn’t exactly illegal in Dubai but doing any dancing that is outside of a nightclub or designated dancing zone, or dancing with a partner and touching them, well, that’s illegal! Dancing is considered provocative, and therefore not allowed outside of the club!

25. P*rn

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Any p*rnographic content found on any of your personal devices can result in a significant jail sentence. Being a Islamic nation, the UAE has a very serious attitude towards pornography and it is completely outlawed. Creating and distributing this sort of content is also highly illegal in Dubai!

26. Drinking on the Beach

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Whilst you’re allowed to drink alcohol in hotel bars, the Dubai authorities don’t want you doing it anywhere else. In the past, couples have been arrested for drinking alcohol on the beach. If you drink alcohol in your hotel and then hit the town under the influence, it is a punishable offence!

27. Smoking

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Anyone caught smoking in-between sunrise and sunset will find themselves in a world of trouble. Whilst smoking tobacco is not completely outlawed in Dubai, the act of doing so before sunset is highly illegal. Don't even think about smoking on public transport either!

28. Sharing an Apartment with the Opposite Sex

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Planning on a work holiday with a colleague of the opposite sex? Well make sure your company is happy to pay out for two apartments. That’s because, in Dubai, it is strictly illegal to share an apartment with a member of the opposite sex. If you're not planning on marrying them, avoid living with them at all costs!

29. Flushing the Toilet after 10pm

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The Dubai authorities believe that everyone is owed a peaceful sleep, and because of this, they’ve deemed flushing the toilet after 10pm a serious crime. Whilst it makes sense to save water, no flushing after 10pm seems a bit smelly.

30. Bouncing a Cheque

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If you’re the only person in the world still using cheques, then you need to make sure you have the funds before handing one out in Dubai. If you pay for something with a cheque and it bounces, you can find yourself facing a jail sentence for fraud, even if it was an honest mistake.