Dubai Police arrest Arab for begging on Whatsapp

DUBAI: The Dubai Police have recently arrested an Arab national for cyber-begging people via Whatsapp.

Colonel Ali Salem, Director of the Anti-infiltrators Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation in Dubai Police, urged members of the community to ignore cyber-beggars who use social media, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan, to scam people and philanthropists.

Col. Salem explained that cyber-beggars use fabricated pictures and videos in pursuit of sympathy, thus violating multiple laws and regulations namely the UAE Federal Law No. 9 of 2018 on Anti-begging.

“During Ramadan, cyber-beggars start begging for things like financial aid or ‘Iftar’ meals so people would feel for them or show compassion.” “Members of the public should not fall for such scams, and should know that local authorities and charities indeed help the truly needy and provide them with social support or train them for work,” he confirmed.

Col. Salem further noted that Dubai Police have an integrated security plan to combat begging in cooperation with partners and intensify patrols in places expected to be frequented by beggars.

Col. Salem urged all citizens and residents not to be sympathetic with beggars and instead donate to official charities.

He also asked the public to report beggars to the toll-free number 901 or through the Police Eye service via Dubai Police App, and to report cyber-beggars and online suspicious activities on www.ecrime.ae

The Public Prosecution published an awareness video on social media highlighting the crimes of begging and organised begging and relevant punishment according to the law.