Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Typologies

The UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (UAEFIU) has published its latest strategic analysis report on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Typologies, highlighting key risks, patterns, and financial behaviours associated with this crime and its link to money laundering.

Human trafficking remains a significant transnational crime and a predicate offence to money laundering, generating substantial illicit proceeds that are often integrated into the financial system. The report outlines global and regional trends, noting the prevalence of sexual exploitation and forced labour, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Drawing on UAEFIU data from 2021 to 2025, the analysis identifies key typologies and risk indicators based on suspicious transaction and activity reports (STRs/SARs). Findings show that a portion of reported cases are linked to laundering the proceeds of human trafficking, with the UAE primarily appearing within international financial flows, including payment chains and connections to individuals or entities involved in such activities.

The report highlights the role of the banking sector and money service businesses in detecting suspicious activity, while also noting limited instances involving virtual assets and the use of real estate at the integration stage of money laundering. It further underscores challenges in identifying the misuse of legal persons and beneficial ownership structures.

The report concludes with practical risk indicators aimed at enhancing detection, improving the quality of reporting, and strengthening the response of reporting entities and competent authorities.

Click here to view the full report.