Begging is no longer only in reality, but beggars are roaming social media platforms, crying over their financial conditions, in order to obtain money, often using accounts on those sites that are close to reality.

Electronic begging.. a money grabbing tool

The method of electronic begging is not completely different in meaning or content from the traditional method of begging known to the communities, and this time it differs in terms of the tools used, the first of which is the Internet, and the use of a social application that is more widespread in the geographical area, and the aim of which is to steal money.

Sidqi Abu Duhair, a researcher and consultant in media and digital marketing, told Al-Quds.com: “I think that the idea of electronic begging is old and still is (impersonating a friend of yours). Money through digital applications or recharge the balance.

Abu Duhair continues, "Therefore, the story and skill of digital beggars developed in a different way, and turned into asking for need, using digital emotion, which affects the victim."

Electronic victimization tools!

The electronic beggar tries to put details such as a picture, or some posts of a spiritual nature, and some scenes through videos; To suggest to the victim that he is really in need, and needs aid, as he plays on emotion with content, according to Abu Duhair.

Abu Duhair continues, "Some use a fictitious name, a pseudonym, fake accounts, and unreal details as information about the account that is conducting the electronic begging."

Types of electronic begging

About the most commonly used types of electronic begging, Abu Dhair explains that it is through social media platforms due to its closeness to realism, the use of afflicted areas, and the use of the name of afflicted families as well, until the victim actually falls.

Another type that Abu Dhair calls the "fisherman", as all he does is publish a harsh critical "post" about a restaurant, "cafe shop" or clothing store, so that digital users interact about the post between supporters and opponents.

Abu Duhair says, "The idea of the supporter here is that the Facebook platform is the most used in the Palestinian digital community, and thus he gets a free prize to stop harming the target shop."

There is another type, which is widespread in a noticeable manner, which is the request for the names of medicines, so the beggar requests it and writes its name from the victim, and the victim sends the beggar to a reliable pharmacy to be assured that he has obtained the medicine, and indeed he presents himself and his name and gets the drug, but the electronic beggar sells These medicines are in another pharmacy, under the pretext that he does not need them or that they are not suitable for the patient, or any other excuse.

Balance transfer for the beggar!

As for Muhammad Abu Al-Zein (a pseudonym), he confirmed to Al-Quds that a person in the name of a woman was posting a picture of Al-Aqsa Mosque on her Facebook account, and on the cover of the account was a picture of a “advocacy poster” design. He sent him an addition, two or three days later, the person started commenting. on Muhammad's posts, then sent him a morning greeting.

And Muhammad continues, after about a month, I was surprised by this woman who calls herself "Umm Ayham" and that she is a resident of a city in the West Bank, asking him for financial assistance, because her husband has cancer and her children, the eldest of whom is 10 years old, and they need money.

And she asked him to transfer the amount of one hundred shekels, and she did not want to embarrass herself in the banks or to distance her from them. The act Muhammad agreed, and she asked him to transfer the balance to her number, and this was done. After a week, the matter came back and asked for the same request, and when he refused, that lady activated the feature the ban! To be surprised by a friend of his that the lady's data is incorrect.

In order not to fall victim to "electronic begging"

In order not to fall victim to electronic begging, according to "Abu Dhair", it is necessary to ask about the beggar person, such as his place of residence, phone number, full name, and ID number, and to contact the competent authorities to search for the identity of the person in need.

Abu Duhair says, "I strongly advise against dealing with any electronic begging attempt, because the needy will not go to social media platforms to satisfy his needs in this way."

Abu Duhair added, "Those who practice electronic begging have found the easiest way to obtain money without toil and effort, and the money is transferred directly through a digital application in most cases."