Fake Beggar Scam on Wheelchair

We have heard about a scam through "aunties-to-aunties story" regarding a male elderly. He usually loiters near Bukit Merah Polyclinic in a wheelchair to beg passers-by for money. There are a couple of very distinctive things he has done that may be very annoying to many people.

Incident one:
A kind woman sympathized with him and offered him $10. The next thing he did was to ask the woman to give him another $10.

We have seen quite a number of less fortunate people around in Singapore. Most of them will appreciate it even if you were to give them just a few coins. $10 is quite a big sum for a kind soul to offer to a stranger and this is the first time we have heard of a "beggar" asking for more.

Incident two:
The man stopped a group of students and asked them for money. The students rejected him because they were not well-to-do. However, he started asking them to chip in money together to offer him.

We believe this has been overdone to students.

These are not the reasons why we would label him as a scammer. We were told that policemen had managed to locate his house at Redhill area and his neighbour had claimed that the man would usually wear shabbily in his wheelchair out to do his "business", and then return home to shower and go out on feet.

This means that the man is simply taking advantage of others' kindness by pretending to be in a sorry state.

We cannot confirm the truthfulness of this incident. Kind souls who happen to drop by Bukit Merah Polyclinic can try to check out with the nurses and confirm with us - we will really appreciate the help.

We cannot allow such bad incident defer our determination to help the needy. However, we would really want everyone to know that there is always a proper way to help people.

You give someone a fish and you can save him from starving for a day, but if you were to teach him how to fish instead, you can save him from starving for the rest of his life.

Our Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, has promised that he would never let anyone behind while our country progresses. Therefore, if you want to help someone, instead of giving him money, approach the appropriate welfare departments or organisations. If you are not sure whom to look for, simply visit at Reach.gov.sg or even the town council. You can also drop an email to the member of parliament in charge of the area.