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A police boat patrols the waters of the Dubai Marina on March 9.

A police boat patrols the waters of the Dubai Marina on March 9.

Photographer: Christopher Pike/Bloomberg
Wealth

Rich Exiles Put Dubai in Spotlight as World Chases Russian Money

The UAE’s status as a global financial hub has a darker side, and it’s coming under increasing international scrutiny.

The Gupta brothers stand accused of pillaging billions of dollars from South Africa. Isabel dos Santos is sought by Angolan authorities on suspicion of embezzling state funds. Bulgarian prosecutors say gambling tycoon Vasil Bozhkov is the leader of an organized crime group.

All of them are wanted at home to face allegations they deny, and all have something else in common: In recent years, they found sanctuary in Dubai, a destination for some of the world’s wealthiest exiles.