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Gulf Today
11-04-2025
- Gulf Today
Over 650 beggars arrested during Ramadan in four emirates
A total of 654 beggars were arrested in four emirates including 237 in Abu Dhabi, 222 in Dubai, 144 in Sharjah and 51 in Ras Al Khaimah. Brigadier General Muslim Mohammed Al Ameri, Deputy Director of the Criminal Security Sector at Abu Dhabi Police, stated that beggars attempt to gain sympathy from members of society by fabricating misleading stories to obtain money. Handing money or alms over to beggars unintentionally encourages them to continue begging, which leads to the spread of crimes committed under the guise of begging, he said. Dubai Police arrested 222 beggars during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr including 127 during the first half of Ramadan with over Dhs50,000 seized in their possession. Earlier, Sharjah Police revealed the results of its awareness campaign titled 'Begging is a Crime and Giving is a Responsibility,' which aimed at spreading awareness and curbing this phenomenon. The efforts exerted by field teams resulted in the arrest of 144 male and female beggars during Ramadan and the confiscation of over Dhs76,000 found in their possession. Brigadier General Omar Al Ghazal Al Shamsi, Director of the Special Tasks Department, who is also Head of Beggars and Street Vendors Monitoring Team at Sharjah Police, explained that a member of society reported an Arab who was begging near a mosque, alleging to be in need and facing financial difficulties. Upon arrival at the scene, a police patrol arrested the beggar, who was found to be residing illegally in the country. A total of Dhs14,000 was found in his possession, which investigations revealed that it was collected in just three days of begging. Ras Al Khaimah Police previously announced the arrest of 51 beggars as part of an anti-begging campaign launched by the Media and Public Relations Department, in co-operation with the Comprehensive Police Stations Department, under the slogan 'Fight begging and help those who truly need it.' These included 34 male beggars and 17 female beggars. Meanwhile, the Public Prosecution's Criminal Information Centre 'Waey' stated that according to articles 476 and 477 of the federal decree-law no. 31 for 2021, anyone of an organized group of two people or more who manages the crime of organized begging will face a jail term of no less than six months and be fined no less than Dhs100,000. The same penalty will be imposed on whoever brings people to the country to use them in organized begging. Further, whoever participates in the crime of organized begging will face a jail term of no more than three months and be fined no less than Dhs5,000 or either of these two penalties.
Gulf Today
03-04-2025
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Police arrest 144 beggars, confiscate Dhs76,000 in Ramadan
As part of their efforts to enhance community security and combat the phenomenon of begging, Sharjah Police revealed the results of 'Begging is a Crime and Giving is a Responsibility' campaign aimed to raise awareness, which involved illegal exploitation of public funds. Brigadier General Omar Al Ghazal, Director of Special Tasks Department at Sharjah Police, praised the efforts of field teams, which resulted in the arrest of 144 male and female beggars during the Holy Month of Ramadan and the confiscation of over Dhs76,000 found in their possession. Al Ghazal also appreciated the vital role of the public in reporting beggars and their co-operation with the security authorities to curb this phenomenon by calling 901 or 80040 and identifying their locations, which contributed to the success of the campaign and achieving its desired goals.
Sharjah 24
03-04-2025
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Police enhances community security via awareness campaign
Brigadier General Omar Al Ghazal, who leads the Special Tasks Department at Sharjah Police, highlighted the hard work of their team. During the holy month of Ramadan, they arrested 144 men and women who were begging and found over AED 76,000 in cash with them. He also praised the community for their support in combating begging. Citizens played an important role by reporting beggars and helping the police by sharing their locations. They can do this by calling (901) or a designated number. This cooperation helped make the campaign successful and reach its goals.
Khaleej Times
25-03-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Some beggars making 'more money' than you? Shocked residents vow to be more cautious
Many residents are driven by compassion, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, however, the recent arrest of a beggar who amassed Dh14,000 in just three days has raised concerns about the realities of begging and the complexities of charity. Authorities have been running campaigns to arrest beggars yet, many individuals unknowingly contribute to a cycle of exploitation. Sudanese expat Mohamed O., who lives near a mosque, frequently encounters an elderly man pleading for help. The man often claims that his children are starving. "I always wonder why he doesn't seek assistance from official charity organisations," Mohamed recalled. Despite his concerns, he habitually gives small amounts of cash as he walks over to pray. However, upon hearing the news about the recent arrest, he felt a wave of shock wash over him. "I had no idea that these individuals could be making more money through begging than I earn at my job," he admitted. This realisation has prompted him to rethink his charitable actions and consider more effective ways to help those genuinely in need. On Friday, Dubai Police announced that 127 beggars have been arrested during the first half of Ramadan, and that the authority has seized more than Dh50,000 which was found in their possession. Similarly, Sharjah Police arrested 107 individuals, seizing over Dh50,000 from them in a major crackdown on begging during the first half of Ramadan this year. The authorities stated that the accused comprised 87 men and 20 arrest was carried out by the anti-begging team under the Special Tasks Department. Law enforcement authorities across the UAE have been cracking down on this illegal activity since the beginning of Ramadan, conducting awareness programmes and making several arrests. Perpetrators have been warned of the consequences, including fines and jail terms. Another Sharjah resident, Israa M., has always viewed giving as a moral obligation. "I see it as a way of doing good," she said. However, she recalls her father's wise words urging her to donate only through official channels. "He taught me that it's essential to ensure my contributions reach the right people — those who truly need help," she explained. After learning about the recent incidents involving beggars, Israa has started to reflect more critically on her giving habits. "I want to help, but I also want to ensure my generosity isn't exploited," she added. Last year, Dubai Police arrested two women who had amassed Dh60,000 and Dh30,000 solely through begging. Authorities have noted that many beggars frequent mosques, markets, and other crowded areas during Ramadan, employing fabricated stories designed to tug at heartstrings. Moreover, a new trend has emerged where criminals exploit social media, posting false messages about fabricated tragedies to solicit donations. These deceitful tactics often include bank account numbers and links to fake donation pages, aiming to extract funds from unsuspecting individuals. Azhari, a young resident, recently had an eye-opening experience that changed her perspective on charity. "Last week, I was walking with my friends when we spotted a woman sitting on the curb, asking for help," Azhari recalls. Without hesitation, she reached into her pocket and handed the woman some cash. Her friends followed suit, eager to contribute as well. Feeling good about her act of kindness, Azhari continued on her way. However, a few days later, she stumbled upon news about a beggar who had been arrested for exploiting people's generosity, having collected a significant amount of money in a short time. "I was shocked to think that the woman I helped might have been part of that situation," she says. This revelation left her feeling conflicted. "It's hard to believe that some people could take advantage of others' kindness like that," Azhari admits. Despite this newfound awareness, her compassion remains strong. "I still want to help, but now I'm more cautious about how I do it," she reflects. In the UAE, begging is a crime punishable by a Dh5,000 fine and up to three months in prison. Those operating beggar gangs face even harsher penalties, including fines up to Dh100,000 and longer jail terms. The Dubai Police reported that 99 per cent of arrested beggars consider begging a "profession," highlighting the need for community awareness and vigilance. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activities to authorities, ensuring that charitable contributions are directed to genuine causes and those truly in need.
ARN News Center
24-03-2025
- ARN News Center
Man posing as beggar arrested for collecting AED 14,000
A man has been arrested in Sharjah for collecting AED 14,000 over three days by posing as a beggar. Sharjah Police said the man was reported by a worshiper at a mosque in the Emirate. Initial investigations revealed he was residing in the UAE illegally. Colonel Omar Ghazal Al-Shamsi, director of the Special Tasks Department and Head of the Beggars Tracking Team, said beggars "exploit the compassion of community members to make quick and illegal gains". Sharjah Police has urged community members to report such cases to the authority and donate only through official charity channels. The authority has been running a campaign during the Holy Month of Ramadan aimed at tackling both individual and organised begging. The offence is punishable with penalties including a AED 5,000 fine and up to three months in prison.
