“A growing number of advertisements offering to set-up businesses in Dubai with ‘virtual’ offices has prompted the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) to issue a warning that any business operating from a “virtual office” is illegal.

It has advised potential investors not to be taken in by the advertisements as they would be deemed as having applied for a business licence with fraudulent documentation.

All commercial enterprises in Dubai are required to have a physical address and an actual office.

When this website responded to one of the advertisements, a ‘business consultant’ assured us saying: “Any request for the DED or Dubai Municipality to inspect the premises is rare. Secondly, if the inspection is necessary, an office will be provided at the physical address mentioned in the documentation just for the inspection.”

The practice allegedly involves building owners as well.

“We charge a rental of Dh6,000 a year as we have to get the lease document from the owner of the building. We have to pay them for the document,” the consultant said…..”  … Continue reading on Emirates 24/7

Source: Emirates 24/7