Latest news with #Anti-SocialCrimesDepartment
Dubai Eye
28-02-2025
- Dubai Eye
Dubai Police steps up crackdown on begging scams
Dubai Police has rolled out its annual "Combat Begging" campaign, running throughout Ramadan. The initiative, under the slogan 'A Conscious Society, Free of Beggars', aims to tackle both individual and organized begging, raise awareness, and encourage donations only through official charity channels. Over the past five years, Dubai Police have arrested 2,085 beggars (384 in 2024, 499 in 2023, 318 in 2022, 458 in 2021 and 426 in 2020). The offence is punishable with penalties including a AED 5,000 fine and up to three months in prison. Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Anti-Social Crimes Department, said that many beggars exploit people's generosity with deceptive tactics, such as using children, the elderly, or fake medical emergencies to solicit donations. The campaign also targets digital begging, including online scams for fake medical emergencies and fraudulent charity projects. Dubai Police urged the public to report any suspicious activity via the 901 hotline, the 'Police Eye' service on the Dubai Police app, or the E-crime platform for online scams. #News | Dubai Police Targets Begging Scams with Annual Ramadan Awareness Campaign Details: #CombatBegging #RamadanInDubai — Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) February 27, 2025
TAG 91.1
27-02-2025
- TAG 91.1
Dubai Police steps up crackdown on begging scams
Dubai Police has rolled out its annual "Combat Begging" campaign, running throughout Ramadan. The initiative, under the slogan 'A Conscious Society, Free of Beggars', aims to tackle both individual and organized begging, raise awareness, and encourage donations only through official charity channels. Over the past five years, Dubai Police have arrested 2,085 beggars (384 in 2024, 499 in 2023, 318 in 2022, 458 in 2021 and 426 in 2020). The offence is punishable with penalties including a AED 5,000 fine and up to three months in prison. Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Anti-Social Crimes Department, said that many beggars exploit people's generosity with deceptive tactics, such as using children, the elderly, or fake medical emergencies to solicit donations. The campaign also targets digital begging, including online scams for fake medical emergencies and fraudulent charity projects. Dubai Police urged the public to report any suspicious activity via the 901 hotline, the 'Police Eye' service on the Dubai Police app, or the E-crime platform for online scams. #News | Dubai Police Targets Begging Scams with Annual Ramadan Awareness Campaign Details: #CombatBegging #RamadanInDubai — Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) February 27, 2025
Khaleej Times
27-02-2025
- Khaleej Times
Up to 6 months in jail: Dubai Police warn of begging scams as Ramadan approaches
Dubai Police has launched its annual 'Combat Begging' initiative in anticipation of Ramadan. With 384 beggars apprehended in 2024, authorities are alerting the public about begging scams that take advantage of the season's generosity. According to police, "ninety-nine per cent of the beggars arrested view begging as a 'profession.'" Many violators employ misleading tactics, such as exploiting children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities to gain sympathy; pretending to be ill or injured to request donations; or wrongfully claiming to raise funds for mosques or medical expenses. The campaign seeks to address both individual and organised begging, enhance community awareness, and encourage donations solely through official and trusted charitable organisations. Over the last five years, a total of 2,085 beggars have been arrested. The 'fight begging' campaign targets both traditional and online begging, focusing on street begging near mosques, markets, and gatherings, as well as digital scams involving fraudulent crowdfunding requests for 'medical emergencies' or 'mosque construction projects' abroad. Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, director of the Anti-Social Crimes Department at Dubai Police, emphasised that donations should only be made through recognised charity organisations to ensure that funds reach legitimate beneficiaries. Authorities have also noted that these offenders are often found in residential and commercial areas, as well as places of worship, alongside street vendors who employ various tactics to elicit sympathy. The public is urged to report any suspicious begging activities. In the UAE, begging is a crime punishable by a fine of Dh5,000 and up to three months in prison. Those involved in organising begging rings or recruiting individuals from outside the country to solicit alms can face a six-month prison term and a Dh100,000 fine. Additionally, raising funds without a permit can result in fines of up to Dh500,000.
