In November 2025, Dubai enacted Law No. 17 of 2025, establishing one of the world’s first comprehensive legal frameworks governing lost and abandoned property.
It’s a landmark shift, not just for the UAE, but for how the world defines accountability, integrity, and trust in the recovery of lost items.
What the New Law Actually Does: Accountability, Rewards, and Penalties
Under Dubai’s new law, the rules are clear:
- Mandatory reporting: Anyone who finds lost property (cash or items of value) must register it with Dubai Police’s electronic system within 24 hours and hand it over within 48 hours.
- No personal claims: Keeping, using, or claiming ownership of found property is strictly prohibited. Non-compliance can trigger criminal penalties.
- Incentives for honesty: The law empowers Dubai Police to issue a certificate of appreciation or a cash reward worth 10% of the item’s value (up to AED 50,000), even if the owner never reclaims it.
- Consequences for concealment: Those who fail to report or surrender lost property face fines from AED 500 to AED 100,000, with penalties doubling for repeat offenses within a year.
In short: Honesty is now built into the system, and neglect carries real cost.
Why It’s a Global Turning Point for Lost & Found:
This isn’t a small municipal update; it’s a structural rethinking of how cities handle misplaced property. Dubai has transformed Lost & Found from a customer service afterthought into a pillar of civic infrastructure. By digitizing registration, setting deadlines, and tying compliance to both reward and punishment, the city has effectively turned ethics into policy.
For other governments, airports, and hospitality hubs watching closely, Dubai has just raised the standard. Lost & Found is no longer an operational nuisance: it’s a measure of a city’s integrity.
Why the World Should Follow Dubai’s Lead:
For any nation built on tourism, commerce, or public safety, a clear legal framework for lost items isn’t just optional, it’s strategic.
- A transparent system deters theft and encourages civic participation.
- Reward mechanisms incentivize good behavior, while penalties enforce accountability.
- When paired with modern platforms like Boomerang, it becomes traceable, scalable, and data-driven, empowering police, venues, and citizens alike.
If more cities adopt this model, the global outcome could be transformative: fewer unclaimed valuables, higher recovery rates, and a renewed culture of integrity.
The question now isn’t if others will follow: it’s when.
#FoundOnBoomerang
Skyler Logsdon
CEO, Boomerang
