Ensure charities are registered in Oman, ROP warns public on rising financial crimes

Muscat: Captain Saeed Salim Al Mahrazi from the Directorate of Relations and Security Information opened the session with a stark warning about the dangers of money laundering. “It’s a crime that impacts not just individuals but the very security and stability of the nation,” he stated.

Grade 6 Officer Noor Salah Al Wahaibi, from the Anti-Money Laundering Department, broke down the process into three stages—Placement, Layering, and Integration—explaining how illicit funds are disguised and funneled into the legal economy through methods such as luxury purchases or investments.

Highlighting recent cases, Officer Noor detailed fraud tactics including fake government websites that harvest user data, Ponzi schemes promising high returns, and even charity scams where unverified fundraisers collect massive donations and redirect the money for unknown—and often criminal—purposes.
“Charities can be a front for money laundering,” Noor warned. “While many are legitimate, some criminals exploit public goodwill. Always check if the charity is registered and has a clean track record.”

The ROP emphasized the country’s proactive approach following international evaluations by FATF and MENAFATF, noting that Oman’s framework for combating money laundering has been recognized as robust and effective. Investigations often begin from suspicious transaction reports, internal intelligence, or even international coordination through agencies like Interpol.

Public cooperation remains a cornerstone in the fight. Citizens are urged to remain alert for red flags such as unexplained wealth, unusual transactions, or online messages requesting sensitive financial information.

“If something feels wrong or too good to be true, it probably is,” said Officer Noor. “Your awareness is a powerful tool in our fight against financial crime.”

The episode closed with a reminder: money laundering is not a victimless crime—it finances drug trafficking, human exploitation, fraud, and even terrorism. The ROP encourages the public to report any suspicious activity through its official channels.