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Chinese scammers using fake charity bins make a killing tricking Good Samaritans into donating used clothes
- Fake charities are buying clothing donation bins online, with the sellers offering to add on signs like ‘Charity Association’ to make them look authentic
- Criminals boast of annual profits of up to 600,000 yuan (US$90,700), and say it’s ‘an easy and golden business’
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Criminals in China are creating fake charity bins to lure donations of clothing and other second-hand items which are then sold for a profit.
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Xia Yiming from Fujian province in Eastern China often donates clothes that have gone out of style or no longer fit to charity using location donation bins.
“We always kept used clothes, waiting to give them to some poor relatives or cleaning ladies, but now, very few people wear used clothes, so I just help by donating them,” she told China Daily.
She also often helps her elderly parents get rid of unwanted items in this way as well.
“It is a good way to help the needy and also keeps my mum and dad’s closet neat and tidy. The old generation like my parents have a habit of hoarding,” she said.
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