Is misleading or false advertising illegal for UAE businesses?

Yes, misleading and false advertising is prohibited under the UAE Consumer Protection Law. Businesses must not deceive consumers about a product's nature, quality, quantity, origin, price, or the benefits of an offer, and they must honour the terms of any advertised promotion. If you bought something because of a claim that turned out to be untrue, that misrepresentation can entitle you to a remedy and can also be reported as a violation. Preserve the advertisement itself, whether it is a screenshot, flyer, social-media post, or in-store sign, alongside your receipt, because the advert is central evidence that the promise was made. Raise the discrepancy with the seller first, then, if unresolved, report it to the Ministry of Economy (600 522225) or your emirate's economic department, which monitor deceptive marketing and bait advertising. Reporting deceptive ads protects other buyers too. Note that genuine puffery and clearly worded conditions are different from outright false claims, so focus on concrete promises the seller failed to keep. For substantial losses caused by a false claim, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.