By dubailife 
Dubai Police Arrest 222 Beggars During Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr Crackdown
Dubai Police have intensified efforts to combat illegal begging during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, leading to the arrest of 222 beggars across the emirate, authorities confirmed on Friday.
Eid Al Fitr Crackdown: 33 Arrests in Festive Period
According to Colonel Ahmad Al Adidi, Acting Director of the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena, 33 of the 222 individuals were apprehended during the Eid Al Fitr holidays, as part of Dubai’s ongoing mission to maintain law and order.
He highlighted that many individuals exploit the charitable nature of Ramadan by using deceptive tactics, including:
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Involving children or individuals with disabilities.
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Falsifying medical conditions to gain sympathy.
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Staging fake fundraising appeals for foreign mosque construction or humanitarian causes.
Several cases involved women begging with children, raising concerns about organized begging networks in Dubai.
Dubai’s ‘Fight Begging’ Campaign: A Multi-Agency Initiative
The crackdown is part of Dubai’s ‘Fight Begging’ campaign, launched under the slogan “An Aware Society, Free of Begging.”
The initiative is in collaboration with:
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai Municipality Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) Al Ameen Service
Captain Abdullah Khamis, head of the Anti-Begging Section, emphasized that the campaign not only aims to curb street begging but also to tackle online begging scams, where fraudsters falsely claim to collect money for humanitarian causes.
Dubai Police Urge Public to Report Begging Cases
Dubai Police have advised residents to donate only through official charitable organizations to ensure contributions reach those genuinely in need.
To report begging incidents, community members can:
Call 901
Use the “Police Eye” feature on the Dubai Police Smart App
Report online scams via the E-Crime platform at www.ecrime.ae
Strict Penalties for Begging in Dubai
Begging is illegal in the UAE, with severe penalties in place:
Dh5,000 fine and three-month imprisonment for individuals caught begging. Dh100,000 fine and six-month jail term for those operating organized begging gangs or recruiting individuals from abroad. Dh500,000 fine for unauthorized fundraising or collecting donations without a permit.
Final Thoughts: A Safer, Scam-Free Dubai
With Dubai’s commitment to public safety and transparency, authorities continue to eliminate fraudulent activities while ensuring that genuine charitable efforts are conducted through authorized channels.
By raising awareness and encouraging community vigilance, Dubai Police are fostering a crime-free, compassionate, and secure environment for both residents and visitors.