Dubai Police have taken action against 22 individuals accused of begging from motorists along heavily trafficked roads, as authorities continue efforts to curb roadside begging and discourage practices that can create safety risks and disrupt traffic movement in busy areas.
Dubai Police Detain 22 Beggars Accused of Approaching Drivers on Crowded Roads.
Dubai Police Arrest 22 Over Alleged Roadside Begging Operation
A tip submitted through Dubai Police’s Police Eye service has resulted in the arrest of 22 people accused of operating an organised begging group across the emirate.
Authorities said the suspects were allegedly active on a number of heavily used roads, where they approached motorists and appealed for financial assistance. According to police, members of the group reportedly told drivers that they required money to pay for travel-related expenses.
The information was submitted through the Dubai Police mobile application, allowing officers to begin investigating the group and establish how the alleged operation was being conducted.
Following the report, police teams monitored the suspects and tracked their activities before taking action against all 22 individuals.
The arrests are part of continued efforts by Dubai authorities to tackle organised begging and prevent people from soliciting money from motorists and members of the public in public areas.
Police identify alleged begging operation
According to Dubai Police, the suspects allegedly selected busy roads where there was a steady flow of motorists.
They reportedly approached drivers directly and used claims about needing financial assistance for travel as part of their appeals for money.
The case came to police attention after a member of the public submitted information through the Police Eye reporting service.
Police subsequently investigated the information and monitored the group before making the arrests.
Authorities have repeatedly encouraged members of the public to report suspected begging rather than giving money directly to individuals soliciting donations in public places.
Previous gang also dismantled
The latest arrests follow another case investigated by Dubai Police earlier in 2026.
In March, authorities dismantled a separate group involving 13 people. Police said the alleged leader of that operation was based outside the UAE.
Members of that group were reportedly using fabricated personal stories to persuade people to hand over money.
Among the claims allegedly made by the suspects was that they had become stranded in the UAE and needed financial assistance.
The cases highlight the different methods authorities say are being used to solicit money from members of the public.
Begging cases recorded over five years
Dubai Police recorded 1,801 begging cases between 2021 and 2025.
The annual figures were:
2021: 458 cases
2022: 318 cases
2023: 499 cases
2024: 320 cases
2025: 206 cases
The figures show that the number of recorded cases varied from year to year, with the highest total during the period coming in 2023.
In 2025, Dubai Police recorded 206 cases.
Authorities continue to urge residents to use official channels when they encounter people seeking donations or claiming to require financial assistance.
Penalties under UAE law
UAE legislation provides penalties for individuals convicted of begging.
Under the UAE Crimes and Penalties Law, a person found guilty of begging can face imprisonment for up to three months as well as a fine of Dh5,000.
The law provides significantly higher penalties where begging is organised on a professional basis or involves recruiting people from outside the UAE for the purpose of begging.
Those convicted of operating a professional begging gang or bringing people into the country to engage in begging can face a minimum prison sentence of six months and a fine of at least Dh100,000.
These provisions distinguish individual begging offences from organised activities involving multiple people or recruitment.
How residents can report suspected begging
Dubai Police has provided several channels through which residents can report suspected begging activity.
Members of the public can submit information through the Police Eye service available on the Dubai Police application.
Reports can also be made by calling Dubai Police on 901 or through the e-Crime platform.
Authorities have encouraged residents to report suspicious activity through the appropriate channels rather than attempting to deal with suspected offenders themselves.
Police have also advised the public to make charitable contributions through licensed and authorised charitable organisations.
Using recognised organisations allows donations to be directed through established systems rather than being handed directly to people soliciting money in public places.
Authorities continue awareness efforts
The latest arrests form part of broader efforts to discourage begging and organised solicitation across Dubai.
Busy roads and public areas can provide opportunities for people to approach motorists, but such activity can also create safety concerns when pedestrians or individuals move close to vehicles.
By monitoring reports from residents and investigating suspected groups, police can identify patterns and take action where offences are established.
The Police Eye service provides residents with a direct way to share information with authorities when they encounter activity they believe may require investigation.
In the latest case, information submitted through the service helped police begin monitoring the alleged group before the 22 arrests were carried out.
Residents urged to donate through official organisations
Dubai Police has also reminded members of the public that people wishing to provide financial assistance should use approved charitable organisations.
Official charities operate through regulated channels and can provide assistance to people who meet established eligibility requirements.
Residents who encounter individuals requesting money on roads or in other public locations can instead report the activity through the available police channels.
The advice is particularly relevant during periods when organised groups may use emotional or fabricated stories to encourage members of the public to hand over cash.
What the latest case shows
The arrest of the 22 suspects follows a police investigation triggered by a public report.
Authorities said the group allegedly targeted motorists on major roads and claimed that they needed money to cover travel expenses.
Police monitored the suspects before arresting them, according to the reported case details.
The arrests also come after a separate 13-member group was dismantled in March, with police alleging that its leader was operating from outside the UAE and that members used false stories to seek donations.
With 1,801 begging cases recorded in Dubai between 2021 and 2025, authorities continue to emphasise reporting and the use of authorised charitable channels.
Under UAE law, convictions for begging can result in imprisonment and fines, while organised begging operations and the recruitment of people from abroad carry substantially heavier penalties.
Residents can report suspected cases through the Police Eye service on the Dubai Police app, by calling 901 or via the e-Crime platform.
Police have urged the public to avoid giving money directly to people begging in public and instead channel charitable contributions through authorised organisations.
