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Begging is crime in Dubai, attracts three-month jail term, police warn

In a statement on its official X page on Monday, Dubai Police warned potential beggars about the legal consequences.

• February 23, 2026
Street begging in the UAE
Street begging in the UAE[Credit: Emirates24]

Dubai Police have issued a stern warning against street begging, noting that it carries a penalty of three months’ imprisonment.

In a statement on its official X page on Monday, Dubai Police warned potential beggars about the legal consequences.

“Begging is a crime punishable by law,” the police said. “Imprisonment for up to three months and a fine of AED 5,000.”

The police urged the public to “Give wisely…and direct your donations through approved entities.”

This came hours after the Suspicious Persons and Criminal Phenomena Department of Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation said it had arrested a beggar found at a car park in possession of AED 20,000.

The police said the arrest was part of the ‘Combating Begging’ campaign to combat “the crime” of begging.

According to the department’s director, the beggar targeted owners of luxury cars at car parks and traffic lights, begging for sympathy by claiming to be in dire need of help.

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