THE next time you put your hand in your pocket to donate to charity, the events of last week may make you think twice. Anyone would be forgiven for asking this legitimate question: who is going to benefit from this money - a genuine charity in need of cash or a bunch of con merchants? In a week in which it has been claimed at least 10 agencies are collecting funds for charitable organisations without their knowledge or authority, the reputation of charity collections in Hongkong has been left severely damaged by an unscrupulous minority, whose devious methods will leave the genuine, vast majority of charities seething with anger.
Police confirmed yesterday they were investigating two advertising firms for alleged bogus charity collections. But as more evidence is unearthed - much of it by the Sunday Morning Post - more companies look certain to come under police investigation.
The Hongkong Council of Social Service said it had received 43 calls this month from students saying they had been recruited to raise funds for dubious organisations. These ''charities'' were not registered with the Government.
Last night a civil servants group and a centre for the elderly said they were outraged by an advertising agency's ''fund-raising'' using their names and supposedly acting on their behalf.
Both organisations said they were considering reporting the agencies to police and taking legal action, but first they would hold urgent meetings early this week.
The All Advertising Company in Mongkok told employees to solicit advertising sponsors for ''publications'' of Man Oi Home for the Aged in Tai Po, and the Hongkong Government Medical Department Chinese Staff General Association.
