The Buddhist Council of Victoria would like to advise the public that bogus "Buddhist" monks have also been spotted in the Melbourne CBD over recent weeks. They are dressed in grey or orange colored robes, sometimes wearing these over normal clothing and shoes. They look like they are from China but may say they are from Thailand when asked. Usually they offer a small printed talisman of the Buddhist Avalokiteshvara deity as their opening gesture. For more information please refer to our earlier news posts.
Duping people out of cash: there is nothing the police can do about it.
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A group of con artists dressed as Buddhist monks are duping people out of their cash at some of the city's busiest tourist destinations - and there is nothing the police can do about it.
Up to six men and women are believed to be involved in the scam, in which they approach people for donations of up to $50.
A man dressed as a monk approaches someone in Circular Quay.
The scammers have shaved heads and are dressed in monks' or nuns' robes, and sometimes thrust small medallions or cards into the hands of strangers before asking for cash in return.
Some people have reported that the monks have stormed off when they are only given a few dollars.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said police had spoken to the people on a number of occasions. However they had not technically committed an offence because they did not claim to be monks or say that they were collecting money for a charity.
The scammers have been seen around the city, including at Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Town Hall, Martin Place, Central railway station, Hyde Park and Parramatta.
Kim Hollow, the president of the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils, said Buddhist monks would not approach strangers on the street asking for cash.
"In no way do we condone ordained people, a monk or nun, wandering the streets collecting money," he said.
A business operator in Circular Quay said he first saw the "monks" about a month ago, before he was told by police officers on New Year's Eve that they had no affiliation with Buddhism. "I first noticed that they were hanging around like the Greenpeace people. I just thought there was something wrong about them," the business owner, who did not want to be named, said. "On New Year's Eve about eight police turned up at my business and spoke to one of these monks. They said they're frauds, they're here on tourist visas and collecting money.
"The police asked: 'Have you ever seen a monk asking for a donation before?' I said 'No, I guess not'. They asked if I'd ever seen a monk in Nike shoes? I haven't."
The business owner said the con artists approached people sitting in outdoor areas or those waiting for public transport. He also had seen seen them soliciting for money at pubs in Darlinghurst. "If you make a donation, you're allowed to write in their book. Obviously it's a special holy book. It's a beauty, this scam," the business owner said. "The people giving a donation probably think their money's going to build a bloody charity thing in Burma and it's going straight into their pockets. It's wrong."
The police spokeswoman said police had not received any complaints about fraud offences being committed.
"While begging is not an offence, police would like to hear from anyone who believes they have handed over money to these people under false pretences," the spokeswoman said.
Mr Hollow said he was made aware of a similar scam operating in Western Australia recently but had no information about the Sydney operation. He said when a monk became ordained, they agreed that their meals and accommodation would be supplied by members of the religion. "It's not a good look for our community, we understand that. We're certainly looking into it," he said.
The Buddhist Council of Victoria is pleased to present a talk by Dr. Ananda Guruge on: