
UAE: Some beggars making 'more money' than you? Shocked residents vow to be more cautious
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 women.The 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.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Sharjah 24
3 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
SP honours winners of 2nd Excellence Awards Programme
He pointed out that the award embodies the spirit of dedication and devotion, reflecting a deep belief in the importance of teamwork. He praised the sincere efforts of the force's officers, non-commissioned officers, and personnel, whose contributions have significantly enhanced the esteemed image of Sharjah Police. At the conclusion of his speech, he extended thanks and appreciation to the judging and evaluation teams, commending their professionalism and objectivity in successfully conducting the second cycle of the award, thereby reinforcing the values of justice and transparency. Honouring dedication and innovation. The ceremony, held at the General Command headquarters and organised by the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Department, was attended by senior officers, department heads and staff. The event began with the national anthem and a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a speech from Colonel Dr Samih Al Halian, who noted the launch of a special badge for excellence to be worn on uniforms during the program cycle—symbolising pride, commitment, and inspiration. Honouring individuals and departments. Winners were recognised across 13 job categories, and the top three departments received institutional awards. In total, 34 employees were decorated with medals of excellence: 13 gold, 12 silver and 9 bronze. The evaluators were also recognised for their professionalism and fairness in the judging process. Commitment to continuous excellence At the end of the event, commemorative photos were taken, and the honourees expressed pride in their achievements. They pledged continued dedication to excellence and teamwork in serving the nation and enhancing its security and stability.


Al Etihad
11 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Dubai Police to launch videocast with heartbreaking stories, awareness on substance abuse
23 July 2025 16:00 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)The Dubai Police's Security Awareness Department at the General Department of Community Happiness, in collaboration with the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, is set to launch the first episode of its new videocast - 'Recovered' (Mut'aafi) - on initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and psychoactive substances, highlighting their devastating effects on families and society, and the irreversible consequences that can range from imprisonment to the tragic loss of life due to by Mahra Al Marzouqi, the inaugural episode features a deeply emotional interview with a grieving father who lost his son to a drug overdose. Through a raw and heartfelt account, he describes how substance abuse turned their lives into a nightmare, recalling the moment he laid his son to rest and saying, 'I couldn't believe I was burying my own child.' His story is a powerful call to action, urging families to stay vigilant and protect their loved ones. Real Stories, Real WarningsDr. Colonel Saud Al Rumaithi, Deputy Director of the General Department of Community Happiness, emphasised that 'Recovered' is a human-centred awareness project that delves into real stories of suffering caused by drug abuse. The videocast aims to steer individuals away from the dark path of addiction, and inspire a sense of social responsibility. He noted that the series will present both tragic outcomes and journeys of recovery, highlighting the importance of Article 89 of the Federal Decree Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The law offers individuals battling addiction a legal avenue for treatment without prosecution—an opportunity for healing and Al Rumaithi reaffirmed that the initiative reflects Dubai Police's ongoing commitment to leveraging innovative media tools in its mission to strengthen public awareness and build a safer, more informed Mahra Al Marzouqi described the opening episode, titled 'A Cry of Pain and a Wakeup Call', as an emotional and cautionary tale. It recounts the life of a young man who fell into addiction due to negative influences and the devastating impact his overdose had on his father, known in the episode as Abu Omar to protect the family's privacy, delivers a heartfelt message to other parents: stay alert, stay involved, and protect your children from the dangers of drugs and harmful episode offers moments of deep emotional reflection and carries essential messages for every household. Al Marzouqi expressed her hope that the videocast will contribute to raising awareness, encouraging those struggling with addiction to seek help before it's too late. Follow the SeriesAll episodes of the 'Recovered' videocast will be available on Dubai Police's official YouTube channel and across social media platforms.


Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Couldn't believe I buried my child': UAE father recalls son's fatal drug overdose
A grieving father in the UAE has shared the story of losing his son to a drug overdose, describing the devastating impact addiction had on their family. 'I couldn't believe I was burying my own child,' said the father, identified only as Abu Omar to protect the family's privacy. Devastated father, Abu Omar, spoke publicly for the first time in Recovered (Mut'aafi), a series launching by the Security Awareness Department at the General Department of Community Happiness, in collaboration with the General Department of Anti-Narcotics on Thursday. 'I couldn't believe I was burying my own child,' he said in the emotionally charged interview, recalling the moment he lost his son to addiction. The episode, titled 'A Cry of Pain and a Wakeup Call,' recounted how negative influences led his son down the path of substance abuse, with devastating consequences. Hosted by Mahra Al Marzouqi, the episode carries a message for every household: stay alert, stay involved and protect your children from drugs and harmful company. The videocast is part of a wider initiative by Dubai Police to use digital storytelling and real testimonies to reach residents and families. Dr. Colonel Saud Al Rumaithi, Deputy Director of the General Department of Community Happiness, said the project is a human-centred effort to highlight both the tragic outcomes of drug use and the possibility of recovery. He said the series will also pay attention to Article 89 of the Federal Decree Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which allows individuals struggling with addiction to seek treatment without facing legal action. Public awareness 'The initiative is part of Dubai Police's ongoing commitment to use innovative media tools to strengthen public awareness,' Al Rumaithi added. The 'Recovered' videocast will be available on Dubai Police's official YouTube channel and across social media platforms. As part of their preventive efforts, Dubai Police have launched several anti-drugs campaigns and programmes targeting students, parents, workers, and delivery drivers to raise awareness about narcotics and online threats. 'We visited labour camps, schools, shopping malls, and corporate offices. This year, we expanded our awareness efforts to four major exhibitions instead of one. We reached 270,000 school students and more than 20,000 university students,' said. Dr Abdul Rahman Sharaf Al Maamari, Director of the International Protection Centre at the General Department of Narcotics Control.