Dubai Police arrested 41 individuals involved in organized begging in Dubai, following a targeted raid on a hotel where the suspects had been operating. The group, all of Arab nationality, used prayer beads and accessories as cover while soliciting money from the public. This major crackdown underscores the UAE’s zero-tolerance policy toward illegal begging activities.
Coordinated Operation “Al-Misbah”
The arrests took place during Operation “Al-Misbah” (Arabic for “prayer bead”), carried out by the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena under the General Department of Criminal Investigation. Authorities seized over AED 60,000 in cash during the raid.
The operation began after a tip-off via the police helpline 901. Officers launched surveillance and observed three individuals actively begging under the guise of selling religious items. Upon arrest, the suspects confessed to being part of a larger network. They revealed that all members had entered the country on visit visas and were living in the same hotel.
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Hotel Sweep Leads to Mass Arrests
Following the initial arrests, police coordinated with hotel management and apprehended 28 more suspects. The next day, another 10 were arrested as they tried to flee. All 41 individuals admitted to being part of an organized begging operation and were referred for legal action.
Public Awareness and Reporting Channels
Dubai Police urged residents to report any suspicious activity. Citizens can use the 901 hotline, the “Police Eye” feature on the Dubai Police app, or the E-Crime platform for online reports. Officials emphasized the importance of donating only through licensed charities.
Ongoing Campaign Against Begging
This crackdown is part of the broader “Combat Begging” campaign, launched annually with the slogan “A Conscious Society, Free of Begging.” The initiative, in partnership with various stakeholders, aims to eliminate begging, especially during religious holidays when such activities often spike.
Police warned that professional beggars exploit public sympathy with deceptive tactics. Under UAE law, such acts are criminal offenses punishable by strict legal measures.
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