Dubai Police have busted a gang of beggars who used vehicles with number plates from neighboring countries. The suspects would install a number plate of a neighbouring country and target its citizens by claiming to be compatriots.

Police said they used women and children to elicit sympathy. It was not immediately clear how the suspects obtained the number plates.

The police released a photo of five suspects and three vehicles recovered from them.

A top officer warned residents about “deceptive tactics used by beggars to exploit people's emotions and earn money illegally”.

Beggars typically target people near mosques, clinics, hospitals, shops and roads, according to Major-General Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, director of the General Department of Criminal Investigations. He warned residents about stories beggars fabricate to “manipulate people”.

The officer stressed the importance of not responding to beggars' pleas or dealing with them. Residents are encouraged to report beggars to 901 or the police app as soon as possible to assist the police.