Source
r/dubai•
problem_me

New level of begging

So i'm sitting in my goddamn udrive spark somewhere deep in al quoz, it's dark and i'm waiting for my friend to finish at the garage.

This car passes me by, then reverses and asks to open the window. I do so and the driver asks if i speak english (big mistake on my side to say yes). He starts his sob story about how he and his family came from Oman and how their car broke down and how the engine is screwed and what long way they have ahead. At this point I almost started laughing cos i realize where the things are going.

So I ask him what he wants from me. He goes: can you give me some money for gas?

And I say: sorry mate, i don't have any money.

He proceeds to switch on the light in the car so that i can see his family. And he says: but my family is hungry. Can you give some money to buy food?

And i say: sorry man, i don't have money.

He says: you don't like my family?

And i repeat: i don't have any money. i can't help you.

He says: just give me a little money. You don't have anything at all?

And i say: NO

He then makes a face, closes the window, takes off at the speed of light. Doesn't seem like his engine is screwed at all.

The demanding tone really threw me off. As if i owe them something. And using his family to get money out of people? Jesus.

Posted Oct 20, 2018, 5:18 PM UTC

4163
orezavi•

Lol. Has happened to me twice. Once it happened to me near Wyndam Marina and I asked to buy them fruits but they wanted money instead. Next time it happened outside Ibn Battuta mall and I excused saying I had no change.

18
problem_meOP•

i don't remember this happening to me and i've been here for quite some time.

i just read all the stories on reddit and i always wondered why no one ever tried to approach me. i guess i just have that "don't-even-speak-to-me" face. but this guy didn't see it because it was dark

6
orezavi•

If you’re holding shopping bags it means you’ve spent some money and feel pretty good about your life, and things in general. Both the times I was returning from shopping, bags in hand.

5
problem_meOP•

ah yeah. it makes sense. i never believe those guys.

i do treat staff (cleaners, reception and security) in my building whenever i'm gifted chocolates or sweets. I like doing nice things for people when i can afford it. however i'm not going to give money to someone like that lying dude.

2
mbG65•

This has been happening for atleast 10 years. I have encountered such people at least 7-8 times.

13
problem_meOP•

yeah but the level of rudeness? i was appalled

6
mbG65•

I dunno, but in my experience they were quite polite :)

May be there are entitled 'fake beggars' as well.

2
problem_meOP•

the character i met was extremely rude and demanding as if i had borrowed money from him 3 years ago and he wanted in back

4
SanJunipero14•

They expect ‘ex-pats’ to be shell shocked and part with at least a 100 Dhs to get rid of this ‘menace’. It’s a tried and tested approach and many people, especially women fall for it. The trick to get rid of them is to refuse to listen to their story. I was similarly approached at a petrol pump and the moment the guy said he was from Oman and he had no fuel, asked him to get to the fuel supervisor (pointed at random guy filling fuel) and just walked away. They will never come after you, they’re wasting time if they do and quickly move on.

4
uaexemaratAmateur Local•

I have been driving for a few months and I encountered 2 of them

2
booga_booga_partyguy•

The old variation of this was "I'm from <country> and my <family member> died and I need money to transport the body back home".

2
hemlockx•

Happened to me with a Saudi car near a gas station. I told the guy I wouldn't be able to help, but that dubai police are really nice and if he's stranded they'll be able to help him out. I didn't realize he was a scammer, and I was genuinely trying to be helpful. Him driving off in a huff let me know this wasn't genuine.

10
skingrat•

Wow, this happened to me in Knowledge Village and i gave the exact same answer with the exact feelings!

8
5ucculentChineseMeal•

Yeah. It starting to get pretty common here. Happened to me once as well. This was just before Ramadan. I was about get in my car and this guy in a 4x4 with Saudi plates pulled up and asked me if i spoke Arabic, I said yes but he continued to tell me his story in English anyway (lol). He asked me some money to buy himself and his family some food. I told him I only carry cards. Then he asked me if I could buy him some food from a nearby gas station. At this point I thought he was legit, but I assumed it was just a way to get you commited to the process of helping him, and at the gas station, he's just ask for gas money or something. He was driving a brand-new 2017 Prado, so that didn't help his case either.

7
problem_meOP•

did you buy anything for him in the end?

3
5ucculentChineseMeal•

Nah. And just like in OPs story, he took off like Lightning McQueen.

4
problem_meOP•

i also got surprised how pissed he became instead of just upset

if i was as desperate as he described himself, i'd just break down right there

3
5ucculentChineseMeal•

They're professional scammers. A whole load of them from all over the world come down here during Ramadan to beg/scam. It's a good time of the year to take advantage of people's kindness. I assume they make a lot of money off it too.

6
bravo632•

Take his plates and inform the police. Faced similar scenarios many times, and the last time was as soon as I left the bank & was headed to my car.

7
SuperlativeLTDExpat•

Someone told me to tell them that the police will help them, which they will, if they are in genuine trouble. If they are begging, which is sadly more likely, they will drive off when you offer to call for them.

5
bravo632•

They can trail them, if they’re really not genuine and they have been bothering quite a bunch of random people, trust me something will be done.

They mainly focus on beggars during the month of Ramadan when it’s so easy to make a fortune from begging.

2
problem_meOP•

i wanted to! but it was so dark that i didn't see shit :(

2
bravo632•

One thing I noticed about these people is that they do it most of their begging in dark areas now that I think of it.

2
problem_meOP•

exactly. i was so deep in industrial that there were zero street lights and no chance to get the plate number

2
Addy9393•

This happened to me during Ramadan in Silicon Oasis. Was getting out of the parking next to a grocery. A guy stopped the car in the middle of the road and asked me for the same things he wanted from you.

People are truly getting creative just to get the money

6
problem_meOP•

he was driving a better car than i was

grrhhh these people

5
Addy9393•

Haha same here as well. Plus the car had Saudi plates on... These people are going international

3
problem_meOP•

the guy i encountered was on oman plates

but he didn't look omani and the accent was different. i have a few friends from oman and they speak nothing like this

3
digitalspecialist•

Happened to me a lot too. From cars stopping by with a child in it to people selling pens or phones. Usually i just start telling them how my business got closed and therefore got no cash to help them.

6
problem_meOP•

maybe ask them for some money? haha

5
digitalspecialist•

Good idea for side income 😄 the story is so long that they get bored and just leave

3
problem_meOP•

i also need to start telling them how my salary is delayed by 3 weeks each month

4
banana092•

happens to me and i always say no! Last time a women waited for me after i got out of the bank and into my car she then approached me... first complement me and the car and the way i dress myself then started their sob story i simply said no and drove away.. did not even give her a chance to bullsh*it me ....

Even at work someone asked me straight away to give him money because times are hard & the dude was holding a freakin iphone !!!!!!!!!!!!

5
problem_meOP•

wow people really have no idea about what's polite and appropriate and what's not.

how do they demand for something which isn't even theirs?

2
burksterdxb•

I've been here 4 years and I've seen this at least 10 times. Now, I just don't give a fuck when a Saudi registered car stops in the middle of the road and start a conversation.

And lately, I've been seeing the same people in my area who has the whole sob story of not finding a job blah blah and when j offer to do them anything but handing over cash, they get angry and just sod off.

5
problem_meOP•

i need a job!

here's a job for you!

i don't need a job! i need a salary!

3
dvidxoxo•

i had the same experience almost 6 month back , near Filli Cafe Mankool area.

4
problem_meOP•

broken engine from oman?

2
viraj_asher•

Worst part is when they say no to 5dhs

Didn't know begging has standards

4
problem_meOP•

what!!! this happens too?

3
viraj_asher•

Happened in front of Khaleej Center 2 years ago!

2
indy0007•

Glad you said 'No!' OP. Pretty sure people are still being suckered in by their sob story and having their family in the car as 'proof?'. Threatening to get police involved might be the best option to stop this nonsense.

r/ChoosingBeggars is a goldmine for stories like these.

​

3
problem_meOP•

eh i'm not experienced in this sort of things (my first choosing beggar! yay) so i was a bit astonished and didn't have a good answer for them, but next time i'll make sure to tell them that the police can help if they're stuck here without any means for survival

3
cryptotrader3017•

kkkk you sound surprised, its happened to me three times before

2
problem_meOP•

never happened to me before!

4
biteyouranklesI have no idea how to drive•

You must be new here, this is an age old scam.

2
problem_meOP•

i've only read about it on here but never had first hand experience! i feel completely assimilated now ^-^

1
Razzler1973•

I have come across this a few times down the years but it was always Saudi they used.

2
problem_meOP•

they branched out to oman lol

1
hn1307In Habby Nation /s•

Had a similar deal, but not with petrol. Coming home from work, I pass a parking lot. Guy call out to me says, he is stuck, has no work, needs food. I said ok, come with me, we will go have food. We are walking towards the local cafeteria but he keeps insisting on the money. 10/15 dirham, I will buy roti-sabzi. No, even I am hungry. Starts sob story about how he needs to send money home, I tell him we will eat and then think about the rest.

He then says "Don't need it," and leaves. Ok man, screw you, don't be an idiot like this in the future.

2
problem_meOP•

wow this is the next level

who will refuse free food? maybe he stocks up his fridge at waitrose or smth ...

3
YYZSher•

Anytime I’ve run into one of these guys I always let them know that god is watching them and that their behavior will land them in hell. They get SO upset and defensive it’s hilarious 😂😂😂

1
problem_meOP•

my friend always tell them in arabic something like "god will help you" haha

1
kingpin_dxb•

Just tell them you will report their plate number to police and watch them speed off

1
dvidxoxo•

He lost the valet somewhere and need cash to fill petrol to go to Hotel, I told him I can pay at petroleum station instead of giving in hand !! But he need the money (there was a lady in Abaya in the car )

1
caedriel•

There are people who are genuinely not having money, but they ask for food. Not money to buy food. Been asked many times and I don’t mind buying them food.They asked , not beg.

So if this happens to you please help the person out .

1