In the digital age, criminals are employing a new modus operandi of begging. They take it out of the streets and bring it directly into your smartphones and other gadgets.
Abu Dhabi Police have cautioned people against falling into the trap of organized, mafia-like online beggars. It warned that many online beggars are involved in scams.
In an awareness campaign on social media, the police force said: “Abu Dhabi Police warn against electronic beggary with the aim of pleading for help by sending text messages, images, and other fabricated stories to help orphans, treat sick people, or build mosques and schools in poor countries.”
There’s zero tolerance for begging not just socially but also legally — this is an offence that attracts a fine of AED5,000 and a jail term of three months, as stipulated in Article 475 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021.
Moreover, the law also states that those who run organized begging will face a fine of not less than AED 100,000 and a jail term of not less than six months.
Residents may report any case of begging through the following channels:
Abu Dhabi
By phone on 999 or 8002626 (800Aman),
SMS on 2828 or
email to [email protected]
Dubai
By phone on 901 or 800243 or 8004888
Sharjah
By phone on 901 or 06-5632222 or
06-5631111
Ras Al Khaimah
By phone on 07-2053372
Ajman
By phone on 06-7034310
Umm Al Quwain
By phone on 999
Fujairah
By phone on 09-2051100 or 09-2224411
