topic Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians in Community Spirit

Fake Beggars con Victorians

icyfroth — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 09:06:55 GMT

An 'organised syndicate of fake beggars' from China has been exposed making hundreds of dollars each day by allegedly pretending to be homeless.

It comes after disturbing footage titled 'Organised Asian syndicate of fake beggars on city corners' was uploaded on social media last month and revealed by Daily Mail Australia and news.com.au.

It's understood an alleged syndicate is arranging passports and tourist visas in China before 'beggars' fly in to work the streets and then send the cash they collect back to China electronically.

Victoria Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that several people were arrested in an operation conducted across Melbourne's CBD this week in partnership with City of Melbourne Council.

The user who uploaded the video said this has become a regular occurrence in the last six months.

'I know it is an organised group because I have seen them get together after 'finishing up' at night in front of the State Library to take the tram out of the city,' they wrote.

'I have seen five older Asian women who are the main panhandlers.

Beggars being put up in inner-city hostels and pass the cash they collect onto 'handlers', The Herald Sun reported.

'They were crying poor after we took the money, saying "Oh, we need the money to get back to China, we need to fly home",' Melbourne East Police Sergeant Chris O'Brien told the publication.

'It's quite an investment involved in flying people out of China to do this. At what point have they made their money, and then what?'

A study conducted in 2015 by Salvation Army support service Melbourne Project 614 found that there are some professional beggars who are making $300-$400 a day.

'We had one person indicate to us that he was raising in the vicinity of $300 to $400 a day or an evening and he was doing that on a regular basis,' Major Brendan Nottle from the Salvation Army told ABC.

Read Entire Article here

It's a hard job, but someone's got to do it, I suppose...

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

kopenhagen5 — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 09:20:51 GMT

The Chinese at it again.

The infiltration across the globe needs to be stemmed.

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

joztamps — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 21:47:21 GMT

It's just globalisation of a very, very old profession.

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

springyzone — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 23:21:22 GMT

The thing that shocked me is that some of them say they make $300-$400 a day. That's pretty massive, given you can bet it's tax free, it would never be declared.

I've been in the city sometimes and seen buskers and they don't seem to be making all that much. I don't think I would give to a beggar but I might to a busker, they are at least trying to earn the money.

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

icyfroth — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 01:19:04 GMT

@joztamps wrote:
It's just globalisation of a very, very old profession.

It's become a franchise, lol

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

joztamps — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 02:23:33 GMT

@icyfroth wrote:

@joztamps wrote:
It's just globalisation of a very, very old profession.

It's become a franchise, lol

Beggar organizations have been "franchised" in numerous civilizations and cities sine the year dot.

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

icyfroth — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 02:34:14 GMT

@joztamps wrote:
@icyfroth wrote:

@joztamps wrote:
It's just globalisation of a very, very old profession.

It's become a franchise, lol
Beggar organizations have been "franchised" in numerous civilizations and cities sine the year dot.

Oh that's alright then.

Lord knows more and more people need to beg to get by in Australia, the way basic living costs are on the rise while incomes stay the same, or even decline.

I guess welfare just doesn't cover it anymore.

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

icyfroth — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 03:42:36 GMT

Frankly, if people are needing to beg in Australia, I'd rather the proceeds be spent in Australia, rather than be transferred to syndicates overseas.

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

not_for_sale — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 06:15:03 GMT

I don't know what to think about this. I wonder what the charges are? I suppose pretending to be poor and homeless so someone will feel sorry enough to give you money is pretty gross. Maybe everybody should band together and start giving them sandwiches?

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

kopenhagen5 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 06:25:37 GMT

Begging is illegal in Australia under the Summary Offences Act 1966.

Not to mention they are contravening their visa conditions.

They should be deported as they are not genuine tourists and so should their sponsors.

Chinese nationals need a sponsor for a visa to Australia.

Re: Fake Beggars con Victorians

martinw-48 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 07:35:37 GMT

I'd gladly accept donations of sandwiches.
Life is very different out here in regards to this situation.
I remember some homeless guy years ago that got a free ride from the police to the next town.
There is a local that has harassed some people for money but I think the police had a talk to him about it