Homeless lose out as conmen move in

Nov 18 2006

KIND-HEARTED Brummies are being ripped-off by fraudulent Big Issue sellers who are using the magazine as part of a city centre begging scam.

Rogues operating around New Street Station and Centenary Square have been bullying genuine vendors into handing over stock then forcing them to flee their regular sales pitches.

Once the unofficial sellers have the magazines in their hands, they either cash-in by flogging stolen copies to unsuspecting passers-by or claim to have only one left and ask for a donation instead.

Either way, these con artists are cheating members of the public who hand over cash in the hope of giving a leg up to some of the most vulnerable people in society.

They are also depriving the Big Issue Foundation of the income it uses to help homeless people across the West Midlands.

Bob Tulk, the magazine's Birmingham-based national sales manager told me: "This is becoming a really serious problem now. I know of several vendors who've had these people intimidate them into giving them magazines.

"Those who stand up for themselves have had threats of violence and been told to watch their back."

West Midlands Police are aware of the problem, but until it's stamped out there is a simple way to spot the fakers.

In the city centre, official vendors wear green Big Issue jackets and a badge around their neck.

Anyone else who tries selling you the magazine in town is probably guilty of criminal deception.