Ammon News - The Director of the Anti-Begging Directorate at the Ministry of Social Development, Riyad Arabiyat, said on Wednesday that nearly 8,000 beggars had been caught since the beginning of 2026 through the end of October, with large sums of money found in the possession of some of them.

Speaking on Public Security Radio (Amen FM), Arabiyat said the directorate had carried out 4,865 anti-begging campaigns through the end of September, resulting in the arrest of 7,174 beggars. He confirmed that campaigns are continuing in cooperation with the Public Security Directorate across the Kingdom.

He explained that one of the cases involved a female beggar found in possession of $46,600, who had been converting money collected through begging into foreign currencies. Legal action was taken against her.

Arabiyat also highlighted cases involving the exploitation of children in begging, noting that some children collect more than JD80 a day. He added that authorities had caught beggars accompanied by children who were later found not to be their own.

He pointed out that some begging cases had amounted to human trafficking, with cases referred to the judiciary in cooperation with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, stressing that begging had become a profession rather than a necessity for some individuals.

He said anti-begging teams had caught seven beggars in Zarqa Governorate following reports of their presence, while joint campaigns were also carried out to apprehend beggars in Karak Governorate.

Arabiyat urged citizens not to give money to beggars and instead direct donations and charity to licensed charitable organizations. He added that reports of begging can be submitted through the hotline 0793344330.