Street Scammer Watch site

[Brookswood]

Are you wondering about those people on street corners and freeways off ramps asking for money to help feed their children, etc. If you travel they might prey on you and your feelings.

They come out in the Spring. Often they have several school age children in tow. Why are they not in school?

https://www.quora.com/What-are-some...-countries-that-tourists-should-watch-out-for

 

[MACKTEXAS]

Yes, some (a few) are in my area, and more when I go to bigger cities not so far away. I've heard many reports of how some of them collect large sums of money over a period of a few hours, then some nice car comes by later on and picks them up. I'm not saying that's true - I have no way of verifying. But, since I don't know the circumstances, I don't contribute. I donate to the North Texas Food Bank, which is often in the news for the work they do helping those in need.

 

[QuietByNature]

In Toronto, there was one gypsy who would panhandle downtown and at the end of her day would head to the nearest carpark and drive away in her new Mercedes. She was on the news a few years back.
Saw one a few weeks back and she was wearing runners that most regular people could not afford.

 

[IrishEyes]

I shop at Walmart a lot in whatever area I live in and they are always hovering around there.
One guy was in the parking lot with his family and the older boy was playing an amped violin.
Sounded wonderful, then 3 days later in the news there, they said when Police questioned them
the boy was not really playing, it was a taped version. So they were scamming people.
Did I donate? I really wanted to but I never carried cash in that area when I shopped, otherwise
I would have been one of scammed. Who can resist a 14 year old boy who could play like that?
In that area if you want to panhandle you had to get a permit (free of charge) at the Police Station
with proper ID and a filled out form.

 

[Messy]

Because of them the real homeless get less. In some cities it's forbidden, but not in Utrecht.

In Utrecht, there is a nuisance caused by organized groups posing as homeless people or beggars, which is sometimes orchestrated by criminal gangs. Although there is a distinction between genuine homeless people and these malicious beggars, the latter are causing an increase in aggressive begging in the city.


Organized gangs: Police and witnesses report that many beggars in the city are part of criminal networks, often from Eastern Europe.

Aggressive methods: The beggars are sometimes aggressive, tapping on car windows at traffic lights and using pitiful stories (fake injuries) to extort money.

 

[jujube]

The ones in my town all seem to have very nice bicycles.

 

[Michael Z]

I shop at Walmart a lot in whatever area I live in and they are always hovering around there.
One guy was in the parking lot with his family and the older boy was playing an amped violin.
Sounded wonderful, then 3 days later in the news there, they said when Police questioned them
the boy was not really playing, it was a taped version. So they were scamming people.
Did I donate? I really wanted to but I never carried cash in that area when I shopped, otherwise
I would have been one of scammed. Who can resist a 14 year old boy who could play like that?
In that area if you want to panhandle you had to get a permit (free of charge) at the Police Station
with proper ID and a filled out form.

Had a similar experience at our Walmart. Heard this beautiful violin music and I saw that it was being broadcast from the parking lot. I watched him "play" but then the music abruptly ended and the guy was still "playing".