Cashing in on the compassion of the public

I read today's The Star (a local newspaper) about a syndicate who makes use of foreign disfigured beggars to beg for money. Most people who take a pity on them will generously give them money. At the end of the day, these beggars will be picked up by a taxi employed by the man behind this scam so that he will take all the money from the poor beggars and give them some in return for their work.

This act of cashing in on the compassion of the public should be condemned. As a Buddhist I will generously donate money to the needy, beggars included but I don't agree that we should be fooled by the man who imports maimed and disfigured beggars to obtain money for him. While our hard-earned money goes to him through these beggars, he will enjoy the earnings without any effort. Is it fair to us?

The authorities should round up these beggars and put them in proper places and send them back if they are from neighbouring countries.