Two hucksters who succeeded in collecting large sums of money
from hundreds of families by claiming they were backed by
prominent rabbonim were caught in Jerusalem last week.
Altering their identities several times over the past few
months, the pair has been making the rounds of chareidi
neighborhoods in Jerusalem and other neighborhoods around the
country, raising enormous amounts of money supposedly for
needy families and similar purposes. They would describe
families in extremely difficult circumstances, even inventing
a story about an avreich learning at HaRav Don Segal's
kollel and asking for contributions of as much as NIS
100 or more.
The mashgiach's talmidim warned the public not
to give money to the pair, which made its claims orally, not
presenting any written material.
On the other hand the public is reminded that this case does
not call into question tzedokoh collectors who present
authentic letters of recommendation from prominent
rabbonim.
