A man arrested during Ras Al Khaimah’s Ramadan anti-begging crackdown was found carrying Dh11,000 that investigators say he gathered through solicitation in a single day — a figure that underscores what authorities describe as a profitable and deliberate exploitation of the holy month.
Nineteen individuals of various nationalities have been detained since Ramadan started, under a campaign titled “Combat Begging and Help Those Who Deserve It,” run jointly by the General Department of Police Operations and the Media and Public Relations Department.
Brigadier Dr Tariq Mohammed bin Saif, Director-General of Police Operations at Ras Al Khaimah Police, said those caught begging frequently prey on the heightened generosity that characterises the month, when residents are more likely to part with money in the spirit of charity. He noted that fabricated stories are a common tactic — people claiming they need funds to repay debts, cover medical bills, clear fines, or resolve legal matters.
“Combat Begging and Help Those Who Deserve It” is framed as both an enforcement and awareness effort, targeting practices officials say run counter to the UAE’s values and carry broader social and economic consequences.
Brigadier bin Saif said sustained monitoring and targeted operational planning have driven a measurable drop in begging activity, with authorities examining different forms of solicitation to identify fraudulent patterns early and respond quickly.
Residents were urged to channel donations exclusively through licensed charities and accredited humanitarian bodies, with police warning that handing money directly to street solicitors risks funding organised deception rather than reaching people with genuine need.
