Sharjah - To solicit donations, they make up stories about being ill, not being able to afford medicines, or being trapped in debts.
Published: Wed 13 May 2020, 4:24 PM
Updated: Thu 14 May 2020, 12:06 AM
Beware of social media posts and messages from people asking for financial help amid the Covid-19 pandemic, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, the Sharjah Police said.
A top police official said they received several reports about beggars taking to social media to exploit the current circumstances. To solicit donations, they make up stories about being ill; not being able to afford medicines; or being trapped in debts.
Some other groups even go to the extent of claiming that they are raising funds to build a mosque or a school, he said.
Do not respond to these messages, the official stressed. Residents are also urged to report such scams to the authorities.
According to the law, cyber-begging is punishable with a fine of no less than Dh250,000 and not more than Dh500,000, police said.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
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