The UAE government has warned UAE residents about the sudden spike in online begging as well as in donation scams expected during Ramadan and Eid. In a top executive’s disclosure, more than 1,200 cases were identified in 2024 alone. Scammers had taken advantage of the generosity vibe of the festive season to get away with a lot of people’s money.
Scammers usually make use of emotional blackmail and bogus charity drives through social media and messaging apps to ask for money. Authorities warned citizens to be on their guard and only contribute to proven and licensed platforms in order to be sure that their donations actually benefit the needy.
The UAE has intensified its crackdown on such illicit activities, sending specialist cybercrime squads to track down and break up false networks. Online begging and donation fraud carries penalties in the form of heavy fines and imprisonment, which is indicative of the zero-tolerance approach of the country to cyber-enabled offenses.
Authorities also called on residents to report any suspicious solicitation at once and take part in awareness initiatives to safeguard their communities. With donations reaching their peak during the sacred month, officials emphasized that donors and the actual recipients of goodwill should be safeguarded.
