In July this year, British-Australian expat Scott Richards was detained at Muraqqabat Police Station for more than two weeks. The reason: he was helping raise money for a refugee camp in Afghanistan.

Why was his act of compassion not accepted in Dubai? Because there is a law that clearly states fundraising in the UAE requires permission from the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities. The law was announced in 2015 and people were warned that failing to comply with it can result in a fine of up to AED 100,000 and even up to one year in jail. 

This time a British expat has been fined AED 5,000 and will be deported

The 41-year-old woman was found guilty of obtaining funds online by promoting fundraising activities without permission from the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, reported 7Days.

The First Instance Court acquitted her in June, but the appeal court overturned the verdict.

Recommended

Bella Hadid And Huda Kattan Had A Meet Cute In DubaiDubai Has A Vending Machine To Renew Your Driving License In 3 MinutesSalaries Are Expected To Drop As More Expats Move To The UAE

The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities lodged a compliant at the police station

According to Dubai Public Prosecution, the lady had been warned but she did not stop running her fundraising website and Facebook page and therefore the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities lodged a complaint last year. They also said she used a fake name and conned people who wanted to volunteer. On the website and its Facebook page, she asked for funds to help two brothers suffering from a liver disease.

She claimed the funds were going to sick and poor people

While she had the right to appeal the verdict, she can’t do anything about the deportation as it is obligatory by law.

Read: the UAE has dropped charges against this British-Australian expat.