Dubai Police arrest Asian begging gang led by overseas ringleader
- Last updated: March 8, 2026 | 15:16 ..
Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspects and Security Phenomena Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigations AT Dubai Police, revealed that Dubai Police had arrested a gang of 13 Asian individuals, led by their ringleader operating from abroad.
“The gang used various methods to exploit community members' emotions, claiming to be stranded in the country and in need of help,” he continued.
Al Shamsi confirmed that Dubai Police continue their "Combat Begging" campaign under the slogan "An Aware Society, Free of Begging," in partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai. He pointed out that the campaign aims to raise awareness and preserve the nation's civilised image by combating begging.
Al Shamsi emphasised the importance of not responding to these beggars, or dealing with them with feelings of pity and compassion, and assisting police agencies by immediately reporting any beggar spotted anywhere to the call centre (901) or the (Police Eye) service available on the Dubai Police smart phone application, and the (E-Crime) platform for reporting cybercrimes.
Brigadier Al Shamsi explained that there are official channels for charitable work and providing assistance through charitable bodies and institutions to ensure that donations reach those who deserve them, urging community members to donate through these official channels, and affirming the continued efforts of Dubai Police to combat the scourge of begging, which harms the civilised image of society, as it is a form of disguised fraud and deception through misleading fraudulent methods.
Dubai Police have warned the public against sympathising with beggars or giving them money, urging people not to be deceived by their tactics — fabricated stories and tricks used to exploit compassion outside mosques, clinics, hospitals, markets, and on streets — for illicit financial gain.