In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, new forms of cybercrimes continue to emerge, challenging traditional legal frameworks worldwide. Among these, unauthorized internet begging has surfaced as a distinct and concerning phenomenon, raising intricate questions about criminal liability, regulatory adequacy, and enforcement efficacy. A groundbreaking study focusing on Jordan reveals that internet begging transcends mere social or economic issues, constituting a clearly definable cybercrime under contemporary legal norms. Through a rigorous evaluation of Jordan’s recent Cybercrime Law No. 17 of 2023, alongside comparative insights from neighboring UAE and Egypt, this research uncovers the multifaceted legal contours and policy challenges surrounding this online modus operandi.
Internet begging, sometimes overshadowed by conventional street-level panhandling, involves soliciting donations through digital platforms without proper authorization or regulation. Given the ubiquity of social media, live-streaming, and payment applications, the scale and reach of such activities have amplified significantly, mobilizing vulnerable individuals and sometimes organized networks. This study meticulously demonstrates that unauthorized internet begging manifests both an actus reus—the physical act of soliciting funds online—and a mens rea, the subjective intent to deceive or exploit donors, thereby fitting within Jordanian penal definitions of cybercrime. Such a precise legal characterization is crucial, as it anchors enforcement agencies’ ability to prosecute and regulate, moving beyond generic anti-fraud or public order statutes.
The research methodologically integrates a comprehensive literature review, intensively examining global scholarship on cyber-enabled begging, cyber fraud, and digital vagrancy, synthesizing insights that point to a notable regulatory vacuum in the Arab region. Coupled with carefully selected case studies from Jordan, the UAE, and Egypt, the study intriguingly contrasts each jurisdiction’s legislative frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. While all three countries grapple with similar difficulties, such as jurisdictional ambiguities, evidentiary challenges, and the anonymity afforded by online platforms, Jordan’s Cybercrime Law No. 17 of 2023 emerges as the most forward-looking legislative tool. Nevertheless, the authors argue persuasively that this law remains susceptible to weaknesses, including vague definitions and limited inter-agency coordination.
One of the study’s cardinal findings lies in identifying enforcement gaps that hinder effective regulation of internet begging activities. Despite the existence of a statutory framework, law enforcement agencies face significant hurdles in monitoring and prosecuting offenders. These stem from limited technological resources, insufficient cyber forensic capabilities, and inadequate training on emerging digital crime typologies. Moreover, the study highlights how sociocultural factors, such as sympathy for beggars and insufficient public awareness of the legal risks associated with online solicitation, contribute to enforcement inertia. Such factors underscore the complexity of crafting policies that reconcile legal deterrence with social welfare concerns.
To address these multifaceted challenges, the authors propose an innovative suite of targeted recommendations aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight and promoting sustainable solutions. Foremost among these is the introduction of a formal licensing regime for online begging activities, which would mandate registration and ongoing compliance, thereby creating accountability and allowing authorities to distinguish between lawful charity initiatives and exploitative solicitations. Further, the paper advocates deploying artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for real-time monitoring and detection of suspicious begging patterns across digital platforms. AI-based tools could identify coordinated fraud networks and flag potential abuses, hence augmenting law enforcement’s effectiveness.
An equally vital component of the proposed framework involves comprehensive rehabilitation initiatives. Recognizing that many individuals engaged in internet begging represent marginalized populations susceptible to exploitation, the study envisions social programs integrating legal education, vocational training, and psychological support. These initiatives aim not only to reduce recidivism but also to mitigate the underlying socioeconomic drivers that propel individuals into illicit digital solicitation. Such a multidimensional approach promotes a more humane and preventative strategy, transcending purely punitive measures.
International cooperation emerges as another crucial theme in the study’s policy discourse. Because internet begging often transcends national borders—utilizing globally accessible platforms and payment systems—effective regulation demands cross-jurisdictional collaboration. The research highlights existing international legal instruments and recommends their adaptation to specifically address cyber begging. Establishing information-sharing mechanisms, harmonizing legislation across countries in the Arab region, and coordinating joint enforcement actions would substantially enhance the crackdown on illicit begging networks and protect vulnerable populations.
Significantly, this study represents the first detailed legal and policy analysis of internet begging within Jordan and the wider Arab region, effectively filling a glaring lacuna in current academic and legislative discourse. By meticulously mapping the legal definitions, enforcement challenges, and policy options, the research equips policymakers, law enforcement, and civil society actors with an evidence-based blueprint for reform. This contribution is especially timely considering the increasing digitization of socioeconomic practices and the attendant rise of cyber-enabled offenses. It establishes a foundational text for future studies and legislative initiatives in the growing realm of digital crime prevention.
The Jordanian Cybercrime Law No. 17 of 2023 is emblematic of evolving regional legal responses that attempt to keep pace with digital innovation and its attendant criminality. Its provisions, while promising, reveal inherent tensions between flexibility for technological advancement and the need for legal certainty. The study critiques ambiguous statutory language that leaves room for interpretative divergence, thereby potentially undermining enforcement consistency. Moreover, it underscores the necessity for periodic legislative updates to accommodate emerging internet platforms and novel solicitation methods that criminals might exploit in perpetuity.
From a technological perspective, deploying AI in cybercrime enforcement presents both opportunities and challenges. The study elaborates on the technical facets of AI monitoring, including machine learning algorithms trained to detect anomalies in transaction streams and behavioral patterns indicative of online begging scams. Nonetheless, ethical considerations, such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the risk of false positives, must be rigorously addressed. The research calls for the development of transparent AI protocols that balance efficacy with respect for user rights, ensuring public trust in digital surveillance measures.
Social dynamics surrounding internet begging also receive thorough examination. The authors discuss how cultural perceptions of charity and poverty influence public attitudes towards online begging, complicating legislative enforcement. In many communities, charitable giving is a deeply embedded social norm, which can inadvertently legitimize unauthorized begging. This phenomenon necessitates nuanced public awareness campaigns that educate about legal boundaries without stigmatizing vulnerable individuals, promoting a culture of informed philanthropy aligned with regulatory frameworks.
In operational terms, law enforcement agencies need enhanced capacities to tackle unauthorized internet begging effectively. Training programs emphasizing cyber forensic skills, digital evidence collection, and cross-platform investigation are vital. The study’s empirical observations reveal that current personnel often lack specialized knowledge, leading to underreporting and ineffective prosecutions. Strengthening institutional capacity through collaboration with academic institutions, technology firms, and international partners would enable more agile and informed responses to this dynamic form of cybercrime.
The economic implications tied to unauthorized internet begging also warrant attention. Unauthorized solicitations potentially divert funds from legitimate charitable organizations, undermining the nonprofit sector’s financial stability. This diversion not only hampers social service provision but can erode public trust in online giving, thereby affecting broader philanthropic ecosystems. The study advocates that formal regulatory mechanisms help safeguard donor confidence and ensure that charitable resources are appropriately channeled, enhancing overall social welfare.
Equally pressing is the concern regarding the exploitation of minors and other vulnerable groups through internet begging. The research reveals that some online begging operations orchestrate minors’ participation, exposing them to risks including trafficking, abuse, and psychological harm. Legislative reforms must incorporate protective clauses and enforcement guidelines specifically tailored to address these vulnerabilities. The paper emphasizes intersectoral cooperation involving child protection agencies, social services, and legal authorities to mount a comprehensive response.
Ultimately, the study signals a paradigm shift in understanding beggary within the digital age. By framing unauthorized internet begging as a distinct cybercrime—encompassing definable criminal acts and requisite mental states—it aligns legal recognition with on-the-ground realities of online solicitation. This reframing lays the groundwork for more targeted, evidence-driven, and humane policy interventions that can better balance deterrence, rehabilitation, and social justice in an increasingly digital society. It exemplifies how sophisticated legal scholarship can illuminate emerging challenges and guide societies toward more resilient digital governance.
As the digital era continues to redefine socio-economic interactions, it becomes imperative that legislative and policy instruments evolve correspondingly. Jordan’s pioneering yet improvable Cybercrime Law provides a beacon for the Arab region, illustrating how comprehensive legal innovation coupled with technology-assisted enforcement and social programs can generate a robust regulatory ecosystem. The recommendations from this study offer a blueprint not only for Jordan but for other nations confronting the complex realities of cyber-enabled begging. In so doing, the research contributes profoundly to shaping the future contours of cybercrime law, digital ethics, and social policy across interconnected digital societies.
Subject of Research: Legal and policy analysis of unauthorized internet begging as a cybercrime, focusing on Jordan and comparative insights from the UAE and Egypt.
Article Title: From streets to screens: legal implications of internet begging
Article References:
Abu Issa, H., Al wreikat, N., Al-billeh, T. et al. From streets to screens: legal implications of internet begging.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 916 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05189-w
Image Credits: AI Generated
