UAE: How you can report begging scams

Police authorities have urged people to be alert during Ramadan 1 of 20 Beware of strangers asking you for financial help. Begging is illegal in the UAE.Image Credit: Stock image 2 of 20 Illegal begging rises during Ramadan, and police authorities have warned residents to watch out for begging scams.Image Credit: Dubai Police 3 of 20 Picture used for illustrative purposes only.Image Credit: Stock image 4 of 20 Abu Dhabi Police has launched 'Together against begging' campaign to raise awareness.Image Credit: Abu Dhabi Police 5 of 20 Beggars may use the financial impact of COVID-19 as a fake story to convince donors to contribute.Image Credit: Abu Dhabi Police 6 of 20 Abu Dhabi Police will also be monitoring certain areas to crackdown on illegal begging.Image Credit: Abu Dhabi Police 7 of 20 Picture used for illustrative purposes only.Image Credit: Dubai Police 8 of 20 Illegal begging doesn't just scam the donor, it is also part of many other illegal activities like human trafficking and abuse.Image Credit: Stock image 9 of 20 Colonel Ali Salem, Director of the Anti-Infiltrators Department at Dubai Police, advised people not to get emotionally manipulated through fake stories of disability or financial struggle.Image Credit: Dubai Police 10 of 20 Picture used for illustrative purposes only.Image Credit: Stock image 11 of 20 With movement restrictions in place, scammers could turn to social media to dupe people.Image Credit: Stock image 12 of 20 How you can report beggars - call Abu Dhabi Police on the numbers above for cases within the emirate.Image Credit: Gulf News archives 13 of 20 In Dubai, you can call or report online to Dubai Police.Image Credit: Screenshot/Gulf News 14 of 20 Sharjah Police has also launched an awareness campaign.Image Credit: Supplied 15 of 20 Picture used for illustrative purposes only.Image Credit: Abu Dhabi Police 16 of 20 If not to beggars, how do you know who to give charity to? The UAE has regulated charity organisations, that support social causes within the UAE and outside.Image Credit: Screenshot/Gulf News 17 of 20 Anyone caught begging will be fined Dh5,000 and imprisoned for up to three months.Image Credit: Stock image 18 of 20 Professional gangs face jail terms of at least six months and a minimum fine of Dh100,000.Image Credit: Stock image 19 of 20 Those caught begging but with a genuine problem may be referred to the relevant authorities for assistance and support.Image Credit: Stock image 20 of 20 Image Credit: Stock image