The officer added that 90% of the beggars apprehended had entered the country on visit visas.
Dubai Police have apprehended a beggar who owns three luxury cars and admitted to amassing a fortune by soliciting money, an officer told Al Khaleej, amid an intensified anti-begging campaign in the emirate during Ramadan.
The man, who exploited public sympathy, would end his “begging shift” in broad daylight, shedding his weary persona before driving away in one of his high-end vehicles.
“The defendant used calculated methods to manipulate people’s emotions, relying on fabricated stories and carefully crafted humanitarian details, delivering a daily performance as professional as any organized, profit-driven enterprise,” said Brigadier Ali Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department.
Brigadier Al Shamsi noted that 90% of the beggars apprehended had entered the country on visit visas, deliberately targeting Ramadan to exploit the generosity of citizens and residents.
Large sums of money, often in the thousands of dirhams, were found in their possession. In one case, an individual had collected Dh25,000 yet continued to beg, despite the amount being sufficient to support himself or fund his return home.
Penalties
Under Federal Law No. 9 of 2018, individual begging in the UAE is punishable by up to three months in prison and a fine of Dh5,000. Those involved in organized begging rings or recruiting individuals from abroad face up to six months in prison and fines of up to Dh100,000.
During the first week of Ramadan alone, Dubai Police arrested 26 beggars of various nationalities as part of their “Combat Begging” campaign.
Operating under the slogan “A Conscious Society, Free of Begging,” the initiative is implemented in collaboration with strategic partners, including the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. The campaign aims to raise awareness about preserving the UAE’s civilised image and preventing begging.
Brigadier Al Shamsi urged residents to report beggars by calling the toll-free number 901 or through the “Police Eye” service on the Dubai Police smart app. Cases of online begging can also be reported via the e-Crime platform, with the campaign emphasizing that donations should be directed to official charitable organisations.
Ahead of Ramadan, Dubai Police also warned residents against falling victim to online begging scams, urging the public not to engage with suspicious donation appeals circulating on websites or social media. The Anti-Cybercrime Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation said fraudsters and organised beggars often exploit the compassion and generosity associated with Ramadan to make unlawful financial gains.
