Amman: The Ministry of Social Development arrested an Arab woman beggar on Wednesday after finding USD46,600 in her possession in downtown Amman. The woman was discovered during a routine check by authorities targeting vagrancy in the area.
According to Jordan News Agency, the woman has a prior history of professional begging activities and routinely converted her daily cash collections into foreign currency. This arrest highlights the extent of organized begging operations in the region, as the woman was found to be converting her earnings into a substantial amount of money over time.
The ministry added that the woman was referred to judicial authorities for initiating legal prosecution. This step is part of a broader effort to crack down on professional begging and its associated illegal activities. The authorities emphasize the importance of addressing the root causes of vagrancy and ensuring that those who exploit this for profit are brought to justice.
To curb the vagrancy phenomenon, the ministry urged the public to refrain from giving money directly to panhandlers, who often feign illness or "extreme need," and instead direct donations to Jordan's accredited charitable organizations. This approach aims to ensure that aid reaches those genuinely in need and to reduce the incentive for professional begging.
In this context, the ministry said citizens can also report suspected cases of street vagrancy to its dedicated hotline at 0793344330 or through field inspection teams operating across the Kingdom. These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to address the issue of street begging and to support a more effective allocation of resources to those who require assistance.