As the UAE tightens regulatory control over its rapidly expanding digital economy, authorities are explicitly targeting social media promoters operating within gray market commerce. Dubai Police have issued a strict public warning directed at social media influencers, online sellers, and young content creators who promote or sell counterfeit merchandise.
The Anti-Economic Crimes Department of the General Department of Criminal Investigation highlighted a surge in fake watches, perfumes, clothing, and accessories. These illicit products are heavily circulated through Instagram storefronts, WhatsApp broadcasts, and personal social media accounts, bypassing standard commercial vetting processes.
The enforcement arrives as authorities look to protect legitimate brand equity while mitigating real-world consumer risks, specifically pointing to the unverified chemical composition and health hazards associated with counterfeit cosmetics and fragrances.
Major Omar Hassan Nasser, Director of the Anti-Economic Crimes Department, addressed users who treat these digital promotions as an easy, low-risk side hustle.
“Ignorance of the law does not exempt anyone from liability,” Major Nasser stated, according to a report by Gulf News regarding intellectual property laws.
Investigators are actively monitoring Instagram storefronts and WhatsApp broadcasts for watches and perfumes. The police urged influencers to verify supplier invoices and refrain from engaging with unverified third parties offering quick cash. Authorities noted the specific threat posed by fake commercial accounts targeting young influencers for quick profits, warning that casual selling offers no legal protection from prosecution.
What the Counterfeit Crackdown Means for Digital Retailers
This advisory enforces the intellectual property and trademark protections outlined under Federal Law No. 36 of 2021. The legal application confirms that the UAE is holding social commerce and pop-up digital operations to the exact same rigorous regulatory standards as licensed physical retail stores.
By publicly warning influencers directly, the Anti-Economic Crimes Department is eliminating the traditional defense used by social media marketers who claim they are merely third-party advertisers unaware of a product’s origin. The legal liability now explicitly extends to the digital promoter, forcing independent creators to audit their brand partnerships or face immediate legal consequences.