Dubai’s Court of Cassation has issued a final ruling against Balvinder Singh Sahni, widely known as Abu Sabah, the founder and chairman of Raj Sahni Group. The Indian-born businessman was sentenced to five years in prison for orchestrating an international money-laundering scheme using cryptocurrencies. His final appeal was rejected, making the verdict irreversible. After serving his sentence, Sahni will be deported from the UAE.
How the scheme operated from 2018 to 2019
The investigation, launched in December 2024, uncovered illegal financial activities dating back to 2018–2019. According to prosecutors, a group of around 30 individuals transferred funds linked to a UK-based criminal network in Bitcoin to digital wallets controlled by Sahni. The money was then cashed out in Dubai through a multi-step process:
- Transfers from the UK criminal group in Bitcoin
- Receipt into digital wallets under Sahni’s control
- Cashing out in Dubai via affiliated entities
Sahni reportedly kept part of the proceeds as commission. The case attracted attention among those following Dubai real estate news this week, as Sahni had been an active investor in the local economy through his companies.
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Corporate fines and lifted penalties
The court fined three companies owned by Sahni AED 5 million each. An earlier fine of AED 150 million imposed on the businessman was later overturned by a higher court. The Cassation ruling brings an end to proceedings that lasted more than a year. The verdict spotlights the UAE’s strict stance on financial crime.
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This is particularly relevant when concierge service in the UAE explained is discussed in an entrepreneurial framework: asset-related services operate under rigorous compliance systems, and reputational risks for clients with questionable sources of funds are extremely high. Deportation after imprisonment permanently closes the door on Sahni’s return to the jurisdiction where he built his business over nearly two decades
