A man, allegedly Asian, is visiting churches in Funchal, where he has been handing out leaflets stating that his 10-year-old child has leukemia and needs money for treatment. As attested by JM readers, this is a scam.
However, many, especially the elderly, have allowed themselves to be deceived and donated money to the fraudster, who always asks that the leaflet be returned to him to prevent it from being brought to the attention of the authorities.
The situation is generating discomfort and unrest among those whom the man approaches.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
