It looks like the beggars in France, including those of Romanian origins, have found a new way of making people give them money: they dress up like Syrian refugees.

A team of journalists from France 3 television channel revealed the beggars’ new strategy. Watch the video below.

Covered from head to toe, several women were filmed begging at an intersection in Saint-Denis, holding a sign that says SOS Syrian Family. They are accompanied by two children.

The French journalists start talking to them in Arabic, asking them if they are Syrians. One of the women responds: “Yes, I am from Alep.” The reporter continues the conversation in Arabic, but she doesn’t understand. Finally, she chooses to continue the conversation in French, and tells the journalist that she is of Romanian origins, reports Francetvinfo.fr.

The same scene repeats four kilometers away. The beggars rely on people’s compassion for the Syrian drama.

"In most cases, these are the same people who were pretending to suffer from permanent disabilities one year ago, and have now become Syrians,” said Gregory Goupil, from the Alliance police union.

Paris : quand des faux Syriens font la manche

One year ago, some Romanian Roma ethnics found a new business opportunity in the refugee crisis. They helped the refugees stationed in Hungary get to Austria and Germany dressed as gypsies, in exchange for large fees.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com