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Look
out for this Blind man – You don’t have to be his next victim?
Dear All,
I'm writing this to draw your attention to a scam happening in
Colombo city limits. Last week, on route to Colombo I slowed down at a
pedestrian crossing on seeing a blind man somewhere in Wellawatte, Galle
Road. He did not cross or indicated that he was going that he was going to
cross, and so I proceeded forwarded. The minute I went forward, he
tapped the centre of my vehicle towards the rear passenger side.
I immediately stopped and attended to him by which time a crowd
had gathered. He was not physically hurt in any way as he had not stepped
onto the road but his cane had broken. A few people came forward and
requested I take him to a police station. Two trishaw drivers asked me to pay
him some money and send him home as he was poor.
A bus conductor on the other hand told me that he was a fraud
and not to fall prey to him. However, my conscience, and need to get to the
bottom of this drew me in a different direction and I offered to help him get
a new cane. He told me that it was called a 'sensor' cane which cost him
approximately Three thousand rupees a few years ago. In short he wanted more
money to buy another one.
I then went to several places looking for this cane which was
obviously not available anywhere.(Later he told me that it is not available
at pharmacies as it is only given to the persons who carry blind person ID,
which he showed me that he was genuine) Making a faulty judgment call, I gave
him three thousand rupees and dropped him off at the Pettah bus stand as he
then requested as an alternative.
I did not go to the police nor reported the incident anywhere as
I was feeling guilty knocking down a Blind man on the crossing.
Today morning on my way to work, I noticed a commotion down
Torrington avenue near the church. On drawing closer, I identified the same
blind man attempting a similar stunt.
Right in front of my eyes I saw he crossed the road and
purposely touched the rear door of the passing car and he fell off.
I stopped my vehicle and approached the driver who was equally shaken
as I was last week. I raised my voice and clearly told those gathered around
and the driver to go to the police and that I was willing to accompany him as
witness and provide evidence.
No sooner did the so called "blind man" heard me and
obviously have seen me, he scooted off in a trishaw waiting nearby. The
driver who happened to be a senior official in a Ministry thanked me and said
he would get to the bottom of it with any Authorities.
The outcome of all this and whether the culprits will be rounded
up, I don't know. And this is a very organized way of stealing money from
people. It is not just one man show for sure, as I noted that there were few
supporters around him.
However please beware as you may be their next victim. My advice
is to go straight to the police should you face an encounter. Make sure that
you take a photo of the blind man from your ipone if possible before taking
him to police.
An Irritated Citizen
(This
is a True Story-- Please circulate among your friends, families & loved
ones)
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