It's not that STOMPer E does not pity this beggar, but that she feels that he is alert and able enough to earn his money rather than beg for it. She claims some beggars earn as much as $18,000 a month from begging alone.

Here's what she wrote in an email today (Mar 21):

"This guy was seen at Clifford Centre, in front of SK Jewellery, wearing a T-shirt bearing some charity's logo and a lanyard with a tag bearing his name.

"He was not holding any paper, just sitting there with his hands with his palms up (like he was waiting to receive something passersby)

"His head was tilted to one side, making him seem very tired or sick. But when people give him money, he could open his bag and keep the money.

"Once he saw me taking his picture, he drove his automatic wheelchair (which usually cost at least a few thousand dollars) towards the MRT station, fleeing in just a few seconds.

"It's not that I don't pity him, but if he can operate an automatic wheelchair and open his bag to put money in, he should be doing something more decent like selling Big Sweep tickets or similar.

"There is this blind old uncle, whom I buy my monthly Big Sweep tickets from. He says that he has been selling Big Sweep tickets for the past 30 years, and with the money he has even brought up his children after his wife passed on more than 20 years ago.

"His life story brought tears and heartache from me. If the blind uncle can use his income from selling tickets - he earns 15 cents per piece to raise his family - why can't this young guy on his wheelchair do something more decent?

"Maybe begging earns more than any other job? I think most likely this is his main reason.

"There have been more beggars in town recently, and I have also heard that they earn an average of $300 to $600 per day and that means that they earn an average of $9,000 - $18,000 per month. This is more than a manager who has to work his head off.

"They also start to link themselves to charities by wearing T-shirts with charity logos on them or print cards saying that they are from some project to help those from lower incomes households, elderly folks, ex-offenders etc, selling key chains at $10 each.

"Please beware of fake charity drives or con-men seeking fast cash. Always ask to see their NCSS certificate, and if you're not sure then don't donate, or ask for their charity's contact and mail them a cheque after confirming their statue on the NCSS website."