Latest news with #CombatBegging
Arabian Business
3 days ago
- General
- Arabian Business
Dubai Police arrest 41 members of begging gang living in same hotel
Dubai Police arrest 41 members of a begging gang who were residing in the same hotel. Dubai Police confirmed that all gang members were individuals of Arab nationality and living in the same hotel, which they used as a base for their organised begging activities. More than AED60,000 ($16,300) was found in their possession. Dubai Police begging arrests Dubai Police reminded the public to contribute to charitable causes only through licensed associations and official channels to ensure donations reach those truly in need. The arrests were part of a targeted security operation codenamed Al Misbah (Arabic for 'prayer bead'), carried out by the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena at the General Department of Criminal Investigation. This operation falls within the force's 'Combat Begging' campaign, launched under the slogan 'A Conscious Society, Free of Begging', in cooperation with strategic partners. The anti-begging drive seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of begging and promote the UAE's civilised image by preventing and combating all forms of this practice. The operation began following a report received through the 901 call centre about individuals seen begging while selling prayer beads and accessories. Upon receiving the tip-off, the Monitoring and Analysis Section began surveillance of the location and observed three Arab individuals selling these items and asking for money from the public. They were arrested on the spot and during questioning, the suspects confessed to being part of a larger organised begging ring. They had entered the UAE on visit visas and were residing in a hotel. In coordination with hotel management, 28 suspects of the same nationality were arrested. The following day, 10 more were apprehended as they attempted to leave the hotel. All admitted to operating as an organised group for begging and were referred to the relevant authorities for legal action. Dubai Police affirmed that the 'Combat Begging' campaign, launched annually in coordination with strategic partners, continues to effectively reduce the number of beggars yearly, thanks to the strict measures enforced against offenders. The force noted that a comprehensive annual security plan is implemented to combat begging, including increased patrols in areas where such activity is likely to occur. Dubai Police also monitor the evolving methods used by beggars to develop proactive strategies to counter them. The force warned that beggars often exploit religious occasions and holidays to provoke sympathy through professional and deceitful means—an act considered a criminal offence under UAE law. The force also urged community members to report any begging activity by calling the toll-free number 901, using the 'Police Eye' feature on the Dubai Police smart app, or reporting online begging via the E-Crime platform.
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
Dubai Police arrest organised begging ring of 41 suspects residing in hotel
Dubai Police arrested 41 people who were part of an organised begging ring in Dubai. The police said 41 individuals of Arab nationality who were residing in a hotel in Dubai. The arrests were part of a targeted security operation codenamed Al-Misbah (Arabic for 'prayer bead'), carried out by the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena at the General Department of Criminal Investigation. Dubai Police confirmed that all gang members were living in the same hotel, which they used as a base for their organised begging activities. More than Dhs60,000 was found in their possession. This operation falls within the force's 'Combat Begging' campaign, launched under the slogan 'A Conscious Society, Free of Begging', in cooperation with strategic partners. The anti-begging drive seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of begging and promote the UAE's civilised image by preventing and combating all forms of this practice. Case Details The operation began following a report received through the 901 call centre about individuals seen begging while selling prayer beads and accessories. Upon receiving the tip-off, the Monitoring and Analysis Section began surveillance of the location and observed three Arab individuals selling these items and asking for money from the public. They were arrested on the spot. During questioning, the suspects confessed to being part of a larger organised begging ring. They had entered the UAE on visit visas and were residing in a hotel. In coordination with hotel management, 28 suspects of the same nationality were arrested. The following day, 10 more were apprehended as they attempted to leave the hotel. All admitted to operating as an organised group for begging and were referred to the relevant authorities for legal action. Intensified Patrols and Preventive Plans Dubai Police affirmed that the 'Combat Begging' campaign, launched annually in coordination with strategic partners, continues to effectively reduce the number of beggars yearly, thanks to the strict measures enforced against offenders. The force noted that a comprehensive annual security plan is implemented to combat begging, including increased patrols in areas where such activity is likely to occur. Dubai Police also monitor the evolving methods used by beggars to develop proactive strategies to counter them. The force warned that beggars often exploit religious occasions and holidays to provoke sympathy through professional and deceitful means—an act considered a criminal offence under UAE law. Dubai Police has reminded the public to contribute to charitable causes only through licensed associations and official channels to ensure donations reach those truly in need. The force also urged community members to report any begging activity by calling the toll-free number 901, using the 'Police Eye' feature on the Dubai Police smart app, or reporting online begging via the E-Crime platform ( ).
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Al Etihad
Operation 'Al-Misbah': Dubai Police arrest begging ring of 41 suspects residing in hotel
30 May 2025 13:17 DUBAI (ALETIHAD) The Dubai Police arrested 41 Arab nationals for organised begging as part of Operation Al-Misbah. All the detained individuals were residing in the same hotel, and over Dh60,000 was seized from Dubai Police stated that this operation is part of the "Combat Begging" campaign, aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of begging and enhancing the UAE's civil image. The police acted on a tip-off regarding individuals begging while selling prayer surveillance, police arrested three suspects who admitted to being part of a larger group operating with visitor visas. In coordination with hotel management, 28 more individuals were arrested, and 10 others were apprehended while attempting to leave, Dubai Police Dubai Police highlighted that the annual "Combat Begging" campaign has successfully reduced begging through strict enforcement and increased patrols. They also encourage donations only through licensed organisations and urge the community to report begging activities via the toll-free number 901 or the Dubai Police app.
Filipino Times
07-04-2025
- Filipino Times
Over 200 beggars caught in Dubai during Ramadan and Eid
Dubai Police arrested more than 200 individuals for begging during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr holidays, in an effort to combat the illegal practice across the emirate. In a statement, the General Department of Criminal Investigation revealed that a total of 222 beggars of various nationalities were apprehended. Of this number, 33 were caught during the Eid holiday period. The arrests were made under the ongoing 'Combat Begging' initiative, which aims to eliminate the practice through increased public awareness and firm enforcement. Colonel Ahmad Al Adidi, Acting Director of the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena, noted that the campaign's success is largely due to the proactive deployment of patrols and strict legal consequences. He also warned the public that many individuals take advantage of the generous spirit of Ramadan by faking illnesses or using children to garner sympathy. Begging is a criminal offense in the UAE, punishable by imprisonment of up to three months and a fine of AED 5,000. Meanwhile, Captain Abdullah Khamis, Head of the Anti-Begging Section, highlighted that the campaign targets not only street-level begging but also modern forms such as electronic and online begging, which often involve fake donation drives or fundraising for non-existent causes. 'The campaign's core objective is to protect society from crimes related to both street and online begging and uphold the UAE's reputation as a civilised and secure nation,' he said in a news release.
Arabian Business
04-04-2025
- Arabian Business
Dubai Police arrested 222 beggars during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr
Dubai Police apprehended 222 beggars of various nationalities during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr holidays, as part of its ongoing 'Combat Begging' campaign. The campaign, held under the 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, with the aim of raising public awareness and preserving the UAE's civilised image by curbing and preventing begging. Colonel Ahmad Al Adidi, Acting Director of the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena, noted that the campaign has proven highly effective year after year due to the strict legal measures taken against offenders. Dubai Police arrest Ramadan beggars He reported that 33 of the 222 beggars were apprehended specifically during Eid Al Fitr. He explained that Dubai Police develops an annual comprehensive security plan to combat begging by intensifying patrols in locations where beggars are commonly found and monitoring emerging methods to continuously adapt enforcement efforts. Colonel Al Adidi warned that many beggars exploit the charitable spirit of Ramadan and festive seasons, often resorting to fraudulent tactics including the use of children, individuals with disabilities, or fabricated medical conditions to gain sympathy. Multiple cases involving women begging with children have been recorded. Al Adidi further stated that professional and organised begging practices are criminal offences punishable by law, especially when conducted in places of worship or during religious celebrations. Captain Abdullah Khamis, Head of the Anti-Begging Section, added that the campaign targets both traditional and non-traditional begging, including electronic begging, fake fundraising for foreign mosque construction, and fabricated humanitarian appeals. He said: 'The campaign's core objective is to protect society from crimes related to both street and online begging and uphold the UAE's reputation as a civilised and secure nation'.
