A coordinated begging operation that preyed on the sympathies of Dubai residents has been broken up following the arrest of 13 individuals of Asian nationality, authorities announced.
The suspects were part of a network directed by a leader based outside the UAE, according to Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspects and Security Phenomena Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigations at Dubai Police. He said the group deployed a range of emotional manipulation tactics, posing as people left stranded in the country and appealing for assistance.
Authorities have cautioned the public not to hand over money to those soliciting donations informally, noting that beggars frequently station themselves near mosques, medical facilities, shopping areas, and along public roads, relying on invented hardship stories to take advantage of goodwill.
Brigadier Al Shamsi described organized begging as a deceptive practice that amounts to fraud, stressing that it damages the country’s public image. He urged residents to direct their charitable contributions through licensed organizations and institutions established to ensure aid reaches legitimate recipients.
The arrests were carried out as part of the ongoing “Combat Begging” initiative, branded under the slogan “An Aware Society, Free of Begging.” The campaign is a joint effort between Dubai Police, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, with a focus on both enforcement and public education.
Brigadier Al Shamsi called on community members to play an active role by reporting beggars without delay through the call centre at 901, the Police Eye feature on the Dubai Police smartphone application, or the E-Crime platform for incidents involving online solicitation.
