UAE arrests 41 in Dubai hotel for running organised begging ring
Operation Al-Misbah targets illicit begging tied to prayer bead sales
DUBAI authorities have apprehended 41 individuals involved in an organised begging operation based out of a hotel in the city.
The suspects, all of Arab nationality, had entered the UAE on visit visas and were using the hotel as a base to conduct their activities.
The arrests, carried out by the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena under the General Department of Criminal Investigation, were part of a targeted security operation named Al-Misbah, meaning “prayer bead” in Arabic. More than Dh60,000 in cash was recovered during the raids.
Begging ring exposed
The operation began after Dubai Police received a tip-off via the 901 call centre reporting individuals begging while selling prayer beads and related accessories. Following the alert, the Monitoring and Analysis Section conducted surveillance at the hotel, observing three suspects soliciting donations in exchange for these items. They were detained immediately.
#News | Operation “Al-Misbah”: Dubai Police Arrest Organised Begging Ring of 41 Suspects Residing in Hotel
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) May 30, 2025
Details:https://t.co/c2tBoFvxuv#SayNoToBegging#PoliceEye#CommunitySafety pic.twitter.com/vi3nNc6Bwp
Interrogations revealed that these individuals were members of a larger organised begging network. Coordination with hotel management led to the arrest of 28 more suspects residing there. The following day, a further 10 individuals were detained as they tried to leave the premises.
All arrested parties admitted to collaborating in a systematic begging scheme and were referred to legal authorities for further action.
Operation against begging
This crackdown is part of Dubai Police’s ongoing “Combat Begging” campaign, which operates under the slogan “A Conscious Society, Free of Begging.” Launched in partnership with strategic entities, the initiative aims to curb begging through awareness and enforcement, preserving the UAE’s reputation as a civilised society.
Dubai Police stressed the importance of contributing to charity only via licensed organisations to ensure assistance reaches genuine beneficiaries. The public is encouraged to report suspicious begging through the toll-free number 901, the “Police Eye” feature on the Dubai Police app, or the E-Crime platform online.
Increased security measures
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are maintaining a comprehensive annual security plan targeting begging activities, with intensified patrols in hotspots. The police are also monitoring evolving begging tactics, noting that offenders often exploit religious holidays and events to solicit funds through deceitful means – an offence punishable under UAE law.