As Ramadan unfolds in the UAE, authorities are sounding the alarm over a new wave of sophisticated e-begging scams powered by artificial intelligence. Residents are being urged to double-check online appeals before making donations, as fraudsters use advanced AI tools to fabricate heart-wrenching stories and images that tug at the heartstrings—yet are entirely fake.
Across WhatsApp groups and social media, you may see photos of frail elderly patients in hospital beds or videos of children hooked up to medical devices, often accompanied by emotional voice messages asking for urgent help. But officials warn that many of these pleas are produced using AI-generated hospital scenes, forged documents, and carefully scripted narratives, all designed to trick compassionate donors.
Once limited to street corners and public spaces, begging has now gone digital. Scammers are exploiting the charitable spirit of Ramadan by sharing convincing but fictitious stories en masse online. Brigadier Ali Salem noted that criminals are taking advantage of AI’s ability to create realistic images and documents, making it harder than ever for the public to spot a scam.
Cybercrime units across the UAE are on high alert, using digital forensics and monitoring tools to track down those behind these operations. Brigadier Omar Ahmed Abu Al Zoud, Director-General of Criminal Security and Ports, described these e-begging schemes as “structured and strategic,” warning that organized networks are ramping up activity during Ramadan to cash in on people’s generosity.
The law is clear: under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, electronic begging can lead to up to three months in jail and fines starting at Dh10,000. Organized groups face even tougher penalties, with fines exceeding Dh100,000. Fundraising without official approval can land offenders in prison for up to five years and cost them between Dh250,000 and Dh1 million.
Authorities are urging everyone to donate only through officially licensed UAE charities and never send money to personal bank accounts or unverified campaigns. Suspicious activity should be reported to Dubai Police on 901 or through the eCrime platform.
This Ramadan, officials stress that compassion must go hand in hand with caution. By staying vigilant, the community can ensure that their generosity truly reaches those in need—and not the hands of scammers.
