Police warn against beggars scamming people

Residents have been warned not to be deceived by beggars who use emails, WhatsApp and other social media platforms to illegally seek help. With the advent of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Abu Dhabi Police said there's an uptick in such activity online. 

They have revealed how fraudsters are now using online to evoke sympathy among the public with fabricated stories of people needing medical help, financial aid for orphans, or funds for building schools or mosques.

Residents have been advised not to engage in online conversations with unverified people or accounts, and to always contribute to official charities in the country. They have also been urged to report such online pleas for help to the authorities so swift action can be taken.

Also, Saudi Arabia’s Presidency of State Security warned citizens and residents in the Kingdom against donating to strangers, noting that such practices increase the probability of financing terrorism.

The authority added that those caught begging will face three months in jail or a fine of not less than AED 5,000 or both. They added that the penalty for "organised begging" is a six-month jail term and a fine of not less than AED 100,000.

The Presidency of State Security urged people to only make donations via authorized channels. It also urged citizens and residents to donate via authorized channels, particularly through the Ehsan platform which the Kingdom launched last year.

They also posted a video that illustrates how some beggars scam people. In one instance, a man was disguised as a woman wearing niqab and accompanied by children whom he exploited “for the purpose of illegal activity.”

The anti-begging law, which Saudi Arabia adopted in January 2021, imposes penalties that vary from a one-year prison sentence or a fine worth up to 100,000 SAR ($26,658) or both for anyone begging or cooperating with beggars or inciting someone to beg.