The Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena in the General Department of Criminal Investigation of Dubai Police has apprehended a young Arab beggar disguised in women’s clothing, specifically an abaya and niqab, near a mosque.
This apprehension is part of the “Combat Begging” campaign initiated by Dubai Police in collaboration with strategic partners to educate the public on the significance of maintaining the country’s civilized image by combatting and preventing the act of begging.
The individual, found donning an abaya and niqab, justified his choice of attire by stating that female beggars tend to receive more sympathy compared to male beggars. The arrest was made possible due to a community member alerting the General Department of Operations, underscoring the importance of public cooperation in such incidents.
Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, the department director, highlighted the deceptive tactics beggars employ to exploit public generosity, especially during significant periods like the holy month. He emphasized that the stories concocted by these individuals often deviate greatly from the truth, cautioning the community to be cautious of their manipulations.
Al Shamsi also emphasized the importance of refraining from giving money to beggars, noting the existence of legitimate channels through which genuinely needy individuals can seek assistance. He reiterated that begging is a criminal offense as per Federal Law No. 9 of 2018, warning against its adverse impact on society’s reputation.
Furthermore, Al Shamsi advised against responding to beggars’ pleas or engaging with them out of pity, urging the public to report beggars promptly through the contact center (901) or the “Police Eye” service on Dubai Police’s smart App.
He also cautioned the public against falling for sympathetic online messages from beggars on social media and emails containing fabricated narratives, urging individuals to disregard such messages and report them on www.ecrime.ae
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