Dubai Police have arrested 41 individuals of Arab nationality in a major crackdown on organised begging, following a coordinated security operation codenamed Al-Misbah — Arabic for “prayer bead.” All the suspects had entered the UAE on visit visas and were found residing in the same hotel, which served as the base for their illicit activities.
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The arrests were made by the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena at the General Department of Criminal Investigation. Officers recovered over AED 60,000 from the suspects, who were posing as sellers of prayer beads and accessories while soliciting money from the public.
How the Operation Unfolded
The operation began after a tip-off was received through the Dubai Police’s 901 call centre. The report mentioned suspicious individuals begging while selling religious accessories in public. Surveillance was immediately launched, leading to the arrest of three individuals caught in the act.
Upon interrogation, the trio confessed to being part of a larger organised gang. Acting on the information, police conducted a coordinated raid in collaboration with hotel management, arresting 28 additional individuals. The next day, 10 more suspects were detained as they attempted to leave the hotel premises. All 41 individuals admitted to operating as part of a coordinated group involved in begging.
Wider Campaign Against Begging
This operation is part of the ongoing “Combat Begging” campaign launched by Dubai Police under the slogan “A Conscious Society, Free of Begging.” Run in collaboration with strategic partners, the campaign seeks to raise awareness about the criminal nature of begging and its negative impact on society. Authorities stressed that begging not only violates UAE laws but is often tied to organised criminal activity.
Police officials noted that beggars frequently exploit religious occasions such as Ramadan and Eid to elicit sympathy through deceptive means. These tactics are professionally orchestrated and are considered criminal offences under UAE law. Individuals caught begging can face up to three months in jail and fines of AED 5,000, while members of organised gangs may receive minimum jail terms of six months and fines of AED 10,000.
Strict Measures and Preventive Efforts
Dubai Police have confirmed that their anti-begging strategy includes a robust annual security plan. This features intensified patrols in begging hotspots such as mosques, markets, and residential neighbourhoods. The force has also been closely monitoring the evolving methods employed by beggars in order to develop proactive counter-strategies.
Over the past five years, authorities have arrested 2,085 beggars in Dubai alone. In 2023, 499 individuals were apprehended, followed by 384 in 2024 — a decline that officials attribute to the success of the campaign and increased enforcement.
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Dubai Police have urged residents to donate only through authorised charities and licensed platforms to ensure that aid reaches genuine recipients. Community members are encouraged to report begging activity by calling 901, using the “Police Eye” feature in the Dubai Police smart app, or reporting incidents via the E-Crime platform.