A Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) is a formal report submitted to a country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), in the UAE, this is done via the goAML platform operated by the UAE Central Bank. STRs are submitted by businesses when they detect or suspect that a transaction may involve money laundering, terrorist financing, or other illicit activities.
Under UAE Federal Decree Law No. (20) of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism, entities such as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), banks, and financial institutions are obligated to file STRs without tipping off the client involved.
An STR doesn’t require absolute proof—just reasonable grounds to suspect suspicious behavior. Examples include unusually large cash deposits, inconsistent business activity, third-party transactions with no economic rationale, or clients refusing to provide standard KYC documentation.
Filing an STR protects businesses from liability and demonstrates proactive compliance with UAE law and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. Failure to submit an STR when required can result in penalties, license suspension, and criminal charges.
Finjuris Global helps ensure timely, accurate, and confidential STR filings aligned with legal obligations.
STR compliance isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a fundamental safeguard for your business and the broader financial ecosystem. The UAE’s AML/CFT framework is aligned with FATF standards and requires businesses to play an active role in reporting suspicious behavior. Inadequate STR practices expose companies to financial penalties, reputational fallout, and increased regulatory scrutiny.
Crafting tailored policies that define red flags, escalation thresholds, internal workflows, and standardized reporting templates—aligned with CBUAE, DFSA, and FATF guidelines.
Implementing digital platforms integrated into transaction cycles, automating detection of risk indicators such as high-value or rapid transactions, PEP involvement, or irregular behavior.
Managing registration, user access, training, and submission workflows to the FIA goAML portal, meeting federal compliance under Decree Law No. 20/2018.
Designing sector-specific scoring models and sanction indicators to ensure timely, accurate STR reporting.
Creating reporting logs, decision memos, escalation chains, STR evidence packs, and ready audit trails for regulatory scrutiny.
Conducting interactive training sessions for frontline staff and executives on red flag identification, timely reporting, goAML submission practice, and case walkthroughs.
Annual independent reviews of STR effectiveness, compliance gaps, turnaround times, and regulatory alignment.
Establishing investigation protocols, STR vetting committees, senior management sign-offs, and legal review mechanisms for high-risk cases.
Regular updates to STR criteria, scenario libraries, policy manuals, and system logic based on updates from UAE regulators and FATF guidance.
STR compliance isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a fundamental safeguard for your business and the broader financial ecosystem. The UAE’s AML/CFT framework is aligned with FATF standards and requires businesses to play an active role in reporting suspicious behavior. Inadequate STR practices expose companies to financial penalties, reputational fallout, and increased regulatory scrutiny.
UAE law (Federal Decree Law No. 20/2018, CBUAE Rulebook) mandates financial institutions and DNFBPs to submit timely STRs when suspicious indicators are found—non-compliance results in penalties starting at AED 50k.
Accurate STR systems foster trust among international banks, investors, regulatory authorities, and audit firms.
Delayed or incorrect reporting can lead to regulatory fines, license suspensions, and potential personal liability for compliance officers.
Well-structured STR frameworks reduce false positives, enhance internal efficiency, and reduce regulatory friction.
STRs are a key defense against money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing, and other illicit financial activity.
STR compliance is a hallmark of FATF-aligned jurisdictions, bolstering the UAE's standing in cross-border financial integrity.
Finjuris Global brings together regulatory insight, legal acumen, and hands-on compliance execution. With deep experience supporting VASPs, DNFBPs, and regulated entities across DIFC, ADGM, and mainland UAE, we tailor STR compliance frameworks that align with your industry, risk exposure, and regulatory obligations.
From system implementation to training, reporting, and audit readiness, we deliver a cohesive STR framework.
We tailor STR frameworks to vertical risk patterns—retail banking, fintech, remittance, virtual assets, real estate, and more.
Our solutions are compliant with CBUAE, FIA, DFSA, ADGM, and global AML bodies.
We deploy compliance dashboards and automated alerts for real-time STR detection and reporting.
We coach staff using real-world scenarios and review cases to ensure timely escalation and accurate submission.
Clear, fixed-fee engagement based on defined deliverables—no surprises during audits or implementation.
At Finjuris Global, we offer tailored AML compliance services designed to support both new and existing entities across the UAE.
We combine legal, financial, tech, and behavioral insights into high-functioning STR systems.
Our logic models are updated when regulatory bodies change criteria or thresholds, ensuring always-current compliance.
Simulations, logs, and internal reviews ensure readiness for any regulator request or audit visit.
We blend ACAMS and FATF methodologies with UAE-specific goAML rules and case handling standards.
STR frameworks are not static—they evolve alongside your growth, transaction volumes, and digital product offerings.
We design STR systems to reduce false positives while maintaining compliance, freeing up compliance resources for deeper investigations.
Build confidence in your operations and ensure regulatory safety with a tailored STR compliance program. Contact us today for a complimentary readiness assessment and elevate your STR defenses.
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