By BeAwareMyPeople.com
It happened around sixteen years ago — a day I still remember clearly.
My family and I had gone to the Friday market in West Patel Nagar, New Delhi. We lived nearby, and as usual, our weekend routine was simple — buy household items, enjoy a plate of Chhole-Bhature, and walk back home with satisfied hearts and tired feet.
Just as we were returning, a married couple with a small child approached us. They were well-dressed, carried a suitcase, and spoke fluent English. The man introduced himself politely, saying they were from Odisha and had lost everything in a recent flood. “Sir, we just need some help to buy tickets back home,” he said with a gentle voice, holding his child close. The little one’s innocent face melted my heart. I didn’t think twice. I took out ₹200 and handed it to him. The couple smiled, gave me a small printed slip as a “receipt,” and thanked me repeatedly. I felt genuinely happy — believing I had helped someone in real need.
The Twist
Hardly had we walked thirty meters when my younger son tugged at my shirt and whispered,
“Papa, look — the same people are asking others for money again!”
I turned around and saw them repeating the same performance — the same flood story, the same “baby appeal,” the same receipt. Shocked, I followed them quietly. For nearly half an hour, I observed how they picked soft-hearted people — mostly families and elderly gentlemen — and repeated the same script again and again.
What I thought was an act of kindness turned out to be a clever act of deception.
A Lesson I’ll Never Forget
That day, I realized how easily emotions can be used as tools of manipulation. Fraudsters don’t always look suspicious — they often appear decent, well-dressed, and speak politely. They know how to earn sympathy and exploit it.
Today, such scams have multiplied. Many fraudsters no longer beg on the street; they call, text, or email pretending to represent charitable organizations.
They narrate moving stories — cancer patients, flood victims, orphans — and push you to donate immediately.
Be Aware, My People
Before donating money, remember:
1. Check the organization’s registration number
2. Avoid donating cash to strangers or road collectors.
3. Never transfer money via unknown links or QR codes.
4. Donate directly through verified NGO or government portals.
“Let your heart stay kind, but let your mind stay alert.”