Dubai Police have arrested 41 individuals of Arab nationality involved in an organized begging operation that was run out of a hotel in the city. The suspects had entered the UAE on visit visas and used the hotel as their operational base.
Authorities confiscated more than AED 60,000 in cash during the raid, which was part of a targeted crackdown dubbed Operation Al-Misbah—named after the Arabic word for “prayer bead.” The campaign was spearheaded by the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena under the General Department of Criminal Investigation.
The investigation began after a tip-off to the 901 call center reported people begging while selling prayer beads and accessories in public areas. Surveillance teams from the Monitoring and Analysis Section identified three individuals engaged in the act and arrested them on the spot.
Further interrogation revealed they were part of a broader network. Dubai Police coordinated with the hotel management and apprehended 28 more suspects of the same nationality staying in the hotel. Ten others were caught the next day as they tried to leave the premises.
All 41 individuals confessed to being part of a well-organized group targeting public sympathy for financial gain. The suspects have since been referred to legal authorities for prosecution.
Dubai Police reiterated their call to the public to support the needy only through registered charities and official platforms. “Donations should be made through licensed associations to ensure aid reaches those who genuinely need it,” the force emphasized.
The campaign against begging includes increased patrols in hotspot areas, particularly during religious occasions, when such scams tend to rise. Authorities also reminded the public that begging is a criminal offense in the UAE and encouraged them to report suspicious activity via the toll-free number 901, the “Police Eye” feature in the Dubai Police app, or through the E-Crime platform.