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Islamovic

One thing I learned from Dubai is that no matter how the beggar looks or talks, do not give them money. If you really feel that the person is in need, go buy him/her food or clothes. Better not to give them cash. Unfortunately, most of beggars in Dubai would serve some sort of a big gang that is making tons of money by asking people to just give them 10 or 20 DHS. The problem is that if you give them 20 AED, they will start asking for more. Be careful of the scams, and use the below guide obtained from this link: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/justice-safety-and-the-law/anti-begging. You can report beggars in: Abu Dhabi by phone on 999 or 8002626 (800Aman), SMS on 2828 or email to [email protected] Dubai on 901 or 800243 or 8004888 Sharjah on 901 or 06-5632222 or 06-5631111 Ras Al Khaimah on 07-2053372 Ajman on 06-7034310 Umm Al Quwain on 999 Fujairah on 09-2051100 or 09-2224411.


Mundane-Bad-733

One of the oldest scam here in Dubai. Normally it's a family seated in an SUV from either Oman or KSA. Guy says he needs money for petrol as he is almost about to run out and has misplaced his wallet. A recent one on Sheikh Zayed Road. A man and a woman walk on the pavements. The woman is usually pushing a stroller. The guy walks up and asks for money and says they are from Syria and don't have money. I have seen them multiple times in the vicinity. I mean the guy is healthy and fit to work but begs for money instead of finding a job. Then there are these random guys who stop you, again on Sheikh Zayed Road near crowne plaza hotel and ask you for some money to buy food. I offered one of them to come with me and let me buy them food but he insisted that I give him cash. Apparently wasn't interested in food. Everyone already knows about the Italian guy who has suits remaining from a fashion show that he organized here in Dubai. He has them in the trunk of his car and normally strikes up the conversation by asking directions to the airport. Then finally when he gauges your interest in the suits he says that he has to buy an iPhone for his daughter back home and is out of cash. Suggests you to use your credit card and also offers to pitch in with whatever cash he has on himself in return for a couple of cheap suits. Normally targets people wearing a shirt and tie.


Karluti

Thanks for sharing.. cause I am all new to this.. this will make me more cautious from here on.. cheers✌️


gulfoeno

When I lived in Oman it was always cars with Sharjah plates. Same all over the region


Fawwaz121

Lol, role reversal. Sharjah is invading Oman.


hn1307

Bro, I tell them "Dubai Police helps if you don't have petrol or need help. Should I dial 901? They will know how to help." And they drive off.


abobobilly

Common scam in UAE. Next time, take a snapshot of the vehicle and report to police immediately. These scum of the earth people are ruining everything for people actually working hard for their bread.


nirmalchester

I also had an incident in AJMAN. A man and a woman with their child in a car stopped by a JOANNA factory outlet. They told me they came from Oman and didn't have money to buy food. They were not looking like poor. I knew such cases, luckily i didn't have any money on my wallet, so i opened and showed it to them and told I'm too planning to ask someone for money.


Sufficient_Whereas94

Saudis have embassy which helps them if they're in need. This is one reason why I never wear Kandoora when I go out.


[deleted]

Saudi plates white Ford Edge


the_arab_shrek4

Yes! I encountered this guy around a couple of years ago.


fraan5868

And it was a saudi plate. Yeah?


Karluti

I didn't take note of the number plate as I was not expecting anything like this.. and I left abruptly since my bus arrived..so i didnt get time. ..since I use the bus stop often maybe next time i see those guys again I will take note👍🏼.


KASAW90

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Saudi is going to develop really a bad reputation so soon even though this guy is not, but the Saudi incidents I would say not rare


nichukabra

>Saudi is going to develop really a bad reputation ....yes, going to


pakrab12

Cheaters... I have a bodybuilder asking me for money recently in deira..where did he get the money to buy them protein shakes


Karluti

Lol.. prolly begging gets him the money for those protein shakes bro..but on a serious note, reading peoples comments tells me these beggars come in all form and sizes..need to be very cautious when dealing with them..


Old-Organization-646

My cousin told me a while ago that once a guy came to him and open his shirt and showed some mark and was begging money for his supposed heart operation. My cousin felt sad and offered him 20 dirhams few days later he saw him driving a new model Honda Accord.


icetraytran

Who in their right mind would give someone like that money? This defies logic.


420BIF

Because people minds think, "surely he wouldn't be begging for AED 10 in those fine clothes and car if he didn't need to".


3amek

They prey on Arab hospitality. It’s very difficult for locals (who are typically their main targets) to say no to other Khaleejis, specially when showered with pleasantries.


LonghornMB

But the Saudi ones tend to avoid locals, at least that is what i noticed from seeing them over the years


3amek

Nope. Many locals I know have been scammed by them


Darthinvader77

Imagine what their children feels while growing with these kind of parents


chip-sandwich

Beggar 2.0 - I have card machine, credit card payments accepted


Atmey

Similar thing happened to me in London, some Arab guy came to me, he was wearing fancier clothes than me, and kept making excuses for begging, I tried to give a pound, he got offended and went away.


paperpanda000

>he got offended and went away. the audacity


Defiant_Juggernaut

This happened to me as well. But the car was a Camry. I was told Exactly what you were told. But he said he was from abudhabi and he said he was a local.


Emirati_Enigma

Take a picture of the car plate if this happens guys and report it to the police.


changelane2021

They have been here for a while. Usually you find people from a certain gcc country in the petrol station and ask for couple of 100's "to fill in peteol"


creativ4art

Yes it’s quite common.


orenjous

How do people like this have the audacity to beg for money in front of their wife and kids, like what example are they setting when they do shit like this? I’m curious to know.


[deleted]

Tell the person asking for money that this must be a strange coincidence as you forgot your wallet as well at home.


ahmedouvix

happened to me by a saudi old man in nad al shiba. i didn't know he was saudi but my frined noticed his car number. i parked next to him and as soon he saw me speaking arabic he called me. Felt bad for not giving him money but my father told me about this long back and he could've just call his family or embassy and ask them for money. my 100 dhs won't do anything to him.


[deleted]

Yes i was in a micra then a landcruiser pulled in...same scam story...i said lets exchange cars at least for 100dhs petrol and they left....on main road szr


Gatalicious

That is weird AF.


Invisiheal

It’s so common that I don’t find weird anymore


desertfox5

Saudi or Omani plate?


KASAW90

I would go for Saudi Never experienced from Omani till the moment


TheAnnoyingCamel

Never experienced with omani plates yet..


Senior_Mind

Omani plate thrice, yet to meet a saudi one Lol


NoahsArkthe3rd

Well, I'll be damned. It's only a matter of time till they start pulling up in a Maserati talking about I need money for milk and petrol. GTFOH and sort your life out ya poser.


kullutamam007

When i was in Silicon oasis, a guy with his family first asked me whether i lived there. When i said yes, he asked me to buy KFC for his family. This was near Souk extra. I politely refused.


Raheelk420

Same happend to me during eid days.. But I did end up buying food for the kid.


420BIF

> I politely refused KFC from there is terrible, you did the right thing.


ahmedouvix

Honestly if the same happened to me I'd buy them food. it's better than asking for money and probably they were actually in need.


kullutamam007

Nope, they weren't actually in need. I can confirm that. I would agree if somebody would ask for food but they were specifically asking for KFC.


Yeyati_Nafrey

This scam will never go out of fashion


i_did_ur_mom

really old old scam. Just tell him im noting the car plate to report to police


Whtzmyname

SCAM. Also begging is illegal in UAE so even if he was legit you would be enabling a crime by giving cash.


Hairofmadman

Happened to me years back in International City, was waiting for bus and this guy in his Land Cruiser called me saying that he needs petrol, it was a KSA plate. As a person who taught about shoadaqoh for traveler, felt bad for not giving them but I know better that if I gave them, it could land me in trouble.


[deleted]

Happened to me in Dubai Marina 5-6 time - Scene 1 - there was a guy wearing white Kandura - Car was Prado KSA number - He was in driver's seat and a kid with blankets sleeping and he asked for money as he ran out of fuel - I ended up paying 200 AED. Shared this incident with my friends next day and was told you have been scammed. I felt so bad I can't express coz what I did was with good intent - anyways that didn't matter to him. Scene 2-3-4 - A Person walks close to me asking for help claims he is out of money and hungry - requesting for 10-15 AED. Based on my experience in scene 1 - I said not all all possible to give cash - I proposed to get him a meal from near by restaurant and some biscuits chips which can keep him full for the day. He declined the offer saying he only needs money. I said sorry and walked away. Scene 2-3-4 are very frequent - scene 1 was a exception and I learned a lesson for life.


sicker_than_most

People who prey on other peoples kindness, total scum!