Dubai Police bust begging ring, arrest 41 people from hotel

Dubai Police have arrested 41 people involved in a begging operation and recovered more than Dh60,000.

The individuals, of Arab nationalities, were using a hotel as a base for their begging activities, the police said.

The arrests were part of a targeted security operation codenamed Al-Misbah (Arabic for “prayer bead”), carried out by the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena at the General Department of Criminal Investigation.

The suspects had entered the UAE on visit visas, the police added.

The operation began following a report received through the 901 call centre about individuals seen begging while selling prayer beads and accessories.

Upon receiving the tip-off, the police began surveillance of the location and observed three Arab individuals selling these items and asking for money from the public. They were arrested on the spot.

During questioning, the suspects confessed to being part of a larger organised begging ring.

In coordination with the hotel management, 28 suspects of the same nationality were arrested. The following day, 10 more were apprehended as they attempted to leave the hotel. All admitted to operating as an organised group for begging and were referred to the relevant authorities for legal action.

This operation falls within the force’s “Combat Begging” campaign, launched under the slogan “A Conscious Society, Free of Begging”, in cooperation with strategic partners. The anti-begging drive seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of begging and promote the UAE’s civilised image by preventing and combating all forms of this practice.

Dubai Police has reminded the public to contribute to charitable causes only through licensed associations and official channels to ensure donations reach those truly in need. The force also urged community members to report any begging activity by calling the toll-free number 901, using the “Police Eye” feature on the Dubai Police smart app, or reporting online begging via the E-Crime platform.

Dubai Police affirmed that the “Combat Begging” campaign, launched annually in coordination with strategic partners, continues to effectively reduce the number of beggars yearly, thanks to the strict measures enforced against offenders.

The force noted that a comprehensive annual security plan is implemented to combat begging, including increased patrols in areas where such activity is likely to occur.

Dubai Police also monitor the evolving methods used by beggars to develop proactive strategies to counter them. The force warned that beggars often exploit religious occasions and holidays to provoke sympathy through professional and deceitful means—an act considered a criminal offence under UAE law.