WE may feel moved to make donations when we spot a beggar hunkered down in the middle of the streets. That is no weakness but rather, our sense of empathy that makes us very much human.
However, we must also realise that our sincere desire to aid the needy can be exploited by opportunistic individuals, as highlighted by a netizen in a video that is steadily gaining traction in cyberspace.
The video showed a lady wearing a shawl and a mask sitting down at the side of the road, being recorded raking in a good deal of money from passers-by.
Jgn terperanjat kutipan dia lebih banyak dari gaji yg menderma pic.twitter.com/vOvyPGZP1U
— #UpdateInfo🇲🇾🌍 (@update11111) August 19, 2024
After her donation cup was filled, she then secreted the money into a bag to make it look empty. However, her actions were recorded by a furious man who went on to expose her actions.
The lady who later revealed that she was from Myanmar was later threatened by the man not to come back again.
Netizen #UpdateInfo went on to advise that the so-called beggar likely collected more money than the salaries of the donors.
Captions within the video further moved donors to make donations instead to prayer halls or mosques instead of enriching foreign nationals.
Most of the netizens rallied behind the call to stop donations to such individuals. According to Netizen mhdamrn, the lady probably received a minimum of RM100 a day. In a month, that could total up to a whopping RM3,000.
To solve the problem of illegitimate beggars, Alif suggested that food be given to such individuals instead of money. This is a smart move since we cannot discern whether the beggar is legitimate or not.
A pertinent comment by Katz raised a concerning issue that extends well beyond the scope of this video. According to Katz, the old auntie will not be receiving the money either.
The donation will likely line the pockets of human smugglers. Katz added that such beggars were later seen entering a van in droves.
Here is the reason why legitimate charities provide statements to donors on how their money is being used.
Kind hearts who donate to pitiful and frail looking elderly beggars may find themselves supporting a begging syndicate instead.
According to an article by New Straits Time in 2023, a begging syndicate in Melaka collected up to RM500 per day in and around Ramadan bazaars.
The modus operandi involved syndicate members disguised as representatives collecting donations to build a religious school in southern Thailand.
Investigations revealed that a 35-year old local man brought the foreigners to Melaka using his own vehicle to carry out begging activities.
Melaka Police Chief Datuk Zainol Samah said the man also managed accommodation for all the beggars at a hotel on Jalan Tun Perak.
Little is known about the number of begging syndicates operating in the capital city or the whole of Malaysia, but our act of kindness may very well become an act of cruelty.
Monetary support to such syndicates encourages further syndicate activities. Kidnapping, forced incarceration, rape, and murder are but several of the many facets of human smuggling, acts that the kind soul inadvertently catalyse by handing out money to a beggar on the streets. – Aug 20, 2024
Main image: flickr
