Jordanian Woman Arrested With Foreign Currency Worth Tk 5.7 Million While Begging

A woman was arrested in Jordan’s capital, Amman, after authorities found a large amount of foreign currency in her possession while she was begging. The money was worth around $46,600, equivalent to approximately Tk 5.7 million in Bangladeshi currency.

According to Dubai-based news outlet Gulf News, the woman was detained in a central area of Amman during an operation aimed at cracking down on begging. Members of Jordan’s Ministry of Social Development’s anti-begging team, along with officers from the Public Security Directorate, took part in the operation.

Authorities said the woman had accumulated a substantial amount of money by begging in different parts of the capital. She allegedly converted the money she collected into foreign currencies. Following her arrest, she was referred to the relevant judicial authorities for legal action.

Investigators also found information indicating that the woman had previously been involved in begging.

Following the incident, Jordan’s Ministry of Social Development urged the public not to give money directly to beggars. Instead, people were advised to make donations through licensed charities and officially recognized organizations.

The ministry warned that some people involved in begging may claim to be ill or facing financial hardship in an attempt to gain public sympathy. Authorities urged people to remain cautious about such claims.

Begging is prohibited by law in Jordan. Under Article 389 of the Jordanian Penal Code of 1960, begging in public is considered a criminal offense. The law was further tightened through amendments introduced in 2017.

Under the law, asking for money or assistance in public by pretending to have a physical disability or injury, or through other means, is considered an offense. Activities such as selling low-value items while disguised as a means of seeking money or cleaning vehicles in traffic for payment may also fall under the law.

Those convicted of ordinary begging can face up to three months in prison or be ordered by a court to undergo rehabilitation for a period of one to three years. Repeat offenders engaged in professional begging may face four months to one year in prison.