Beggar who owns 3 luxurious cars caught by Dubai Police

The security teams at the Dubai Police have arrested a beggar found in possession of three luxury cars, accused of manipulating public sympathy and transforming compassion into a means of unlawful gain.

The individual, who convinced many of his supposed destitution, would complete his "begging routine" during daylight hours. He would then abandon his disheveled appearance, change his demeanor, and drive off in a luxury vehicle, deceiving those who trusted his story and generously offered him help.

Brigadier Ali Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department, disclosed that the accused admitted to making money through begging, using advanced tactics aimed at exploiting the sympathy of donors. He fabricated elaborate stories and carefully constructed believable personal details, carrying out his activities with a level of professionalism akin to a structured, profit-oriented enterprise.

The case sheds light on another dimension of exploitation, where compassion is manipulated into an avenue for unlawful gain. Remaining silent about such practices becomes a form of indirect complicity, and the misuse of sympathy in this manner leads to damages that go beyond financial loss, impacting the very fabric of societal values and ethics.

Brigadier Ali Al Shamsi highlighted that 90% of the beggars detained had arrived in the country on visit visas, specifically targeting the holy month of Ramadan to take advantage of the generosity displayed by UAE citizens and residents. He further noted that large amounts of money, often totaling thousands, were discovered in their possession, underscoring that their intentions were to amass wealth rather than address any genuine need. He cited an example of one individual who managed to collect Dhs25,000 but persisted in begging, despite this sum being sufficient to support a comfortable living for a time or facilitate a return to their home country.

He highlighted that the Dubai Police General Command initiated its annual awareness campaign ahead of Ramadan, called “Begging is a Misconception of Compassion.” The campaign seeks to raise community awareness about the risks associated with begging, uphold societal security and stability, and address the issue of beggars in public spaces. Running in collaboration with strategic partners, the initiative extends throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

He explained that the campaign aims to channel donations toward official organizations, such as licensed charities, as these entities maintain accurate records of those who are truly in need. He emphasized that begging is an unfamiliar practice in the country and also raises security concerns, as it has the potential to lead to theft if the circumstances allow.

Under Federal Law No. 9 of 2018, begging is classified as a crime, with individual offenders facing up to three months of imprisonment and a fine of Dhs5,000. Additionally, those who orchestrate organized begging or bring individuals from abroad to participate in such activities can face six months of imprisonment and a fine of up to Dhs100,000.