Fake monks detained for taking 300 yuan donation
- Source: Global Times
- [09:43 April 21 2011]
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By Chen Xiaoduan
Fengxian district police are warning the public to be wary of whom they give "prayer money" to, after a group of 22 people were caught last week pretending to be monks to receive handouts.
With shaved heads and traditional robing, the 22 people were caught and detained by police last Thursday, after authorities received a tip from a local resident, who suspected that he had given 300 yuan ($46) to fake monks.
But the group, which was still being held Wednesday, is likely to be released soon given that they profited little from their scam, Cao Rong, spokesman of Fengpu Police Station, in charge of handling the case.
"We're aware this scam has happened elsewhere around the city, but this is the first one that has happened in our area," he told the Global Times Wednesday. "Given the size of this group, we believe others were also cheated, but have been too ashamed to come forward.
"People should be careful when giving donations on the street," he added, saying that the person who came forward said he suspected something was wrong when the "monks" pressured him for more donations after he made his contribution.