The Asian accused of running a beggary ring after his arrest by Jeddah police. — SG photo Abdulrahman Al-Ali Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Police arrested an Asian man who is accused of running an intricate begging syndicate in Jeddah. The alleged ringleader brought beggars from outside Jeddah and placed them in several well-known locations in the city including outside malls and mosques. Most of the beggars were children and women. Six women and children who were in the vehicle the ringleader was driving were also arrested. Police were tipped off about the houses the ringleader was using to shelter the beggars. They were spotted leaving the houses holding crutches and fake medical reports while pretending to be disabled or sick. Officers kept a close eye on the group and noticed that the ringleader would pick up the beggars after Fajr prayer and drop them off at different locations in the city. All of the beggars were caught red-handed while begging for money using fake medical reports. Initial investigations showed that all of the beggars were in the Kingdom illegally. Jeddah police spokesman, First Lt. Nawaf Al-Bouq, said the ringleader was caught in the act while dropping off a group of beggars at the mall. “We confiscated SR13,000, which the ringleader was carrying with him. He said this was the total sum of two days' begging," said Al-Bouq while urging citizens and expatriates to report the places and houses that beggars use for shelter.
