A montage of individuals caught begging in Dubai. DUBAI POLICE

Dubai Police have arrested a beggar who owned three luxury cars and admitted to making large sums of money through street begging, as authorities intensify their Ramadan crackdown. According to media reports on Friday (February 27), the man was caught as part of Dubai Police’s “Combat Begging” campaign. Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said the man used calculated tactics to gain sympathy. Al Khaleej newspaper quoted the officer as saying the suspect would end his “begging shift” during the day, change his appearance, and then drive away in a high-end vehicle. “The defendant utilised calculated methods to manipulate people's emotions, relying on fabricated stories and masterfully crafted humanitarian details, delivering a daily performance no less professional than any organised profit-driven enterprise,” Brigadier Al Shamsi said. Authorities said that 90 percent of apprehended beggars entered the UAE on visit visas and deliberately targeted Ramadan to exploit the generosity of residents. In a separate case earlier this week, Dubai Police arrested another beggar carrying Dh20,000 in a parking lot. Brigadier Al Shamsi said the suspect targeted luxury car owners and motorists at traffic lights, claiming he needed money for food. Large sums of money were found in several cases. One individual had collected Dh25,000 and continued begging despite the amount being enough to fund his return home, police said. During the first week of Ramadan alone, 26 beggars of various nationalities were arrested. The campaign, held under the slogan “A Conscious Society, Free of Begging,” is being carried out in cooperation with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. Police reminded residents that begging is a criminal offence under Federal Law No. 9 of 2018. Individual begging is punishable by up to three months in jail and a Dh5,000 fine. Those who organise begging rings or recruit people for the purpose face up to six months in prison and fines of up to Dh100,000. Authorities also cited Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes. Under Article 51, online begging carries a penalty of up to three months in jail and a minimum Dh10,000 fine. Brigadier Al Shamsi urged residents not to give money directly to beggars and instead donate through recognised charities. He called on the public to report cases by calling 901, using the Police Eye feature on the Dubai Police app, or through the official e-Crime platform. ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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