Dubai Police Arrest 22-Member Begging Gang Targeting Motorists on Major Roads After Police Eye Tip-Off

Dubai Police arrested 22 members of an alleged organized begging gang on Monday, September 28, 2026, after a tip-off through the Police Eye service on the Dubai Police app, according to reporting by The National, Gulf News, and Khaleej Times published September 28-29. The suspects allegedly targeted motorists on major roads including Al Khor Street, Ras Al Khor, the Bu Kadra Bridge area, and the Dubai-Al Ain Road bridge, claiming they were stranded and needed money for travel expenses. Police identified one suspect through the tip-off and monitored his movements, which led investigators to uncover a wider coordinated operation across multiple locations in the emirate. All 22 members were arrested and legal procedures initiated against them.

The arrests reflect Dubai Police's ongoing enforcement against professional begging operations, which carry penalties of at least six months in prison and a minimum fine of Dh100,000 for those convicted of operating a begging gang or recruiting people from outside the UAE to beg. In March 2026, police dismantled a separate 13-member gang whose alleged ringleader was operating from abroad. Dubai Police urged residents to report suspected begging through the Police Eye service, the 901 contact center, or the e-Crime platform, and to make donations only through authorized charitable organizations.

Sources

The National, Dubai Police arrest 22 members of begging gang that targeted drivers, September 29, 2026, thenationalnews.com; Gulf News, Dubai Police arrest 22-member begging gang targeting motorists, September 28, 2026, gulfnews.com; Khaleej Times, Dubai Police arrest 22 beggars targeting motorists on busy roads, September 28, 2026, khaleejtimes.com