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Dubai Police arrest 222 beggars during Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr
Many beggars often resort to fraudulent tactics including the use of children or fabricated medical conditions to gain sympathy, an official said
- PUBLISHED: Fri 4 Apr 2025, 12:51 PM
Dubai Police have arrested 222 beggars during the month of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr holidays in a continued effort to combat begging and related fraudulent activities in the emirate, the authority announced on Friday.
Colonel Ahmad Al Adidi, acting director of the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena reported that 33 of the 222 beggars were apprehended specifically during Eid Al Fitr.
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He cautioned that many beggars exploit the charitable spirit of Ramadan and festive seasons, often using deceptive tactics such as involving children, people with disabilities, or fabricating medical conditions to gain sympathy. Multiple cases involving women begging with children were also recorded.
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'Fight Begging' campaign
The 'Fight Begging' campaign with the slogan launched in partnership with a slogan 'An Aware Society, Free of Begging' was launched in partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Municipality, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), and Al Ameen Service.
Meanwhile, Captain Abdullah Khamis, head of the Anti-Begging Section, noted that the campaign aims not only to curb begging but also to raise public awareness about the dangers and illegality of street and online begging.
He said that fake fundraising for foreign mosque construction and fabricated humanitarian appeals were also targeted by the campaign.
Captain Khamis urged the public to donate only through official charitable organisations, ensuring that support reaches those who truly deserve it.
He also encouraged community members to report beggars by calling 901, using the “Police Eye” feature on the Dubai Police smart app, or reporting online begging cases via the E-Crime platform at www.ecrime.ae
Begging is a crime in the UAE punishable by a Dh5,000 fine and three-months imprisonment. Those found operating a gang of beggars or recruiting people from outside the country to seek alms face a six-month jail term and a Dh100,000 fine. Raising funds without a permit is punishable by Dh500,000 fines.