The Tai Po fire has drawn the attention of countless citizens in Hong Kong. During this special period, many people hope to help the disaster victims get through the difficult times by donating money or supplies. Nevertheless, such good intentions have been exploited by some lawbreakers who disguised themselves as charitable organizations or disaster-stricken people to lure citizens to donate money.
Ms. Flora, Photo by Bastille Post
Flora, a citizen who came to the site of the fire to express her condolences, said that although she often received unknown calls regularly in normal times, the calls posing as those from charity organizations to urge her to donate money to disaster victims became more frequent during this special period. She said, she felt bitterly disappointed that the generosity and care the HK citizens had hoped to express to the disaster victims were, in turn, deliberately exploited by lawbreakers.
Mr. Cheng, Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Cheng, a citizen coming to lay flowers for the victims of the Tai Po fire, is also extremely indignant about the fundraising frauds happening recently. "During this period, the defrauders still think about how to gain as much as they can from the citizens. Such behavior is like adding fuel to the fire and taking advantage of the victims' misfortune." He said that whenever he received such strange calls or saw unfamiliar QR codes appealing for donations for the Tai Po fire on social media recently, he would immediately end or close them and donate his support to the victims through reliable and legitimate website links. "I hope my money can truly reach those in need, rather than end up in the pockets of fraudsters." Mr. Cheng said.
Mr. Cheng also called on the public that if they want to donate during this period, they should distinguish the source of the information carefully and enhance their awareness of precautions. He said that it's good to reach out a helping hand to the disaster victims, but if we do not pay more attention to distinguishment and let our money be exploited by lawbreakers, it will lead to the failure of good intentions and unnecessary financial losses instead.
