As the holy month of Ramadan encourages generosity among people, Dubai Police have stepped up their efforts to combat begging and fraudulent fundraising activities. In a significant crackdown on illegal begging, authorities issued warnings that fines could reach Dh100,000 for organizing such acts.

During this period marked by heightened compassion, Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi highlighted how beggars often exploit the season's spirit. Common tactics include exploiting vulnerable individuals like children and the elderly, fabricating illnesses or injuries, and making false charity claims to garner sympathy and financial aid.

"We've observed many women using children to evoke emotions from passersby," stated Brigadier Al Shamsi.

The campaign against begging is two-fold: targeting street beggars in public spaces and online scams involving counterfeit charitable requests. Dubai Police urge the public to make donations exclusively through verified official charities, reinforcing that any form of unauthorized fundraising is illegal in the UAE.

In terms of penalties, individuals caught engaging in organized begging activities could face a minimum sentence of six months imprisonment along with a fine of Dh100,000. Bringing people into the UAE for such purposes incurs similar consequences. For those directly involved, up to three months in prison and a minimum fine of Dh5,000 are possible.

If the beggar is under the guardianship or care of the perpetrator, this escalates the offense to an aggravating circumstance.

Citizens can report suspicious activities via multiple channels: dialing 901 (a non-emergency number), using the 'Police Eye' feature on the Dubai Police app, or through the E-crime platform for online offenses.

Statistics over the last five years reveal a steady trend in arrests related to begging:

  • 2024: 384 arrests
  • 2023: 499 arrests
  • 2022: 318 arrests
  • 2021: 458 arrests
  • 2020: 426 arrests

Dubai Police, collaborating with agencies like the RTA, Dubai Municipality, and IACAD, aim to curb such activities during Ramadan when generosity is at its peak.

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