Internet hotline set up to report UAE gov't fraud

The UAE State Audit Institution (SAI) has set up a web-based hotline for members of the public to report on fraudulent activity within the UAE Government.

The move follows the government’s commitment to raise standards of accountability and transparency at a federal level, officials said on Wednesday.

It is the first fraud hotline initiative of its kind in the Middle East.

The ReportFraud service, hosted on the SAI’s website www.saiuae.gov.ae, is also open to federal government employees and suppliers. Only matters related to federal organisations can be investigated by the SAI.

SAI President Dr Harib Al Amimi said. “This service allows concerned individuals to report suspicious activity while also ensuring that the process is handled discreetly and responsibly. The goal of ReportFraud is improved levels of governance and enhanced credibility for federal organisations.”

Examples of fraud may include theft or misuse of assets, bribes and false accounting, improper claims for federal government benefits, and computer hacking and information theft, officials added.

The SAI said it will keep all information received confidential although it added it does not undertake to investigate all reports.

Reports may be ignored if they have been previously investigated, or found to be poorly substantiated or the result of foul play.

Established in 1976, the UAE State Audit Institution is dedicated to improving accountability, governance standards and performance in the UAE Government.

Al Amimi added: “The UAE is the second least corrupt country in the Middle East and the 35th least corrupt in the world, according to international rankings. There is tremendous determination at the highest levels of government to further improve upon these standings, and ReportFraud is just one small example of how this commitment is being put into practice.”

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