Tsunami warning
Donors beware!
Rising number of suspicious collectors in Singapore; please donate wisely through proper channels. By Seah Chiang Nee
Jan 11, 2005

Near the Ang Mo Kio market on Block 409 (Avenue 10) was an empty space where a folding table was strategically placed. On it a plastic glass collection box bearing the words "Tidal Wave Relief Fund".

The box was half full of currency notes and coins, a rich haul within several hours.

It happened on about 10.30 am on Sunday, a time when the crowds were heavy.

The wife of a friend who at the box for the name of the organisation involved and found - NONE. Neither was there any one standing beside it to indicate that he was responsible.

But the tsunami tragedy in the region had tugged at so many heartstrings that Singaporeans were contributing without thinking if their money would go to some scam artistes. In this case, it probably was.

Some of the money could have been placed there by the organiser of syndincate to draw others to donate.

Yesterday my wife encounterd three three teenagers - two girls and a boy - wearing identical white T-shirt with black designs carring a white-covered tin box for victims near a bus stop at Upper Serangoon (near the NEL Station).

It was late and they were probably finishing a day's work. Were they genuine? Were they exploiting people's generosity to enrich themselves?

No school or organisation had annopunced they were sending out volunteers to collect public donations. If it were a genuine effort the organisation's name would have been visible, together with the telephone number which doubters could ring up to check on the spot.

This warning is important.

I sense a rising probability of con men and women cashing in on people's misery, and it the sad part is that they will benefit. Unless we the people - and the police - work to put an end to it.

Many Singaporeans are not informed enough to realise that they are enriching unscrupulous fraudsters.

Police should set up a special desk for the public to call when these suspicious operators are seen, and take quick action. Better still, arrest them, fine them severely (maybe 20 times what they have collected) and contribute their fines to the real victims.

As for Singaporeans, the media should enlighten people to give not only generously - but wisely.
By Seah Chiang Nee