Dama beggars target foreigners  

A dama beggar waits around the checkout counter at a supermarket.

A foreigner is pestered by a beggar.

(ECNS) – A group of female beggars aged 50 to 70 wander around business districts in Guangzhou, targeting foreigners, according to the New Express.

The beggars, with a plastic bowl in hand, walk around downtown shops about 9 pm, and hang around until 3:00 in the morning.

One middle-aged beggar followed a passing foreigner and held onto his arms, not letting go until she got some money.

A vendor said the female beggars have been hanging around the place for over a month. "They only pester foreigners."

Some beggars went further. Two foreigners were surprised by a number of beggars after leaving a night club and failed to get rid of one of them even after running several hundred meters. They had to give her money.

After getting the money, the woman ran back to tell her friends, and they ran after the foreigners for another round of begging.

A foreign couple said they and their friends have given money to the beggars several times. "We just feel sorry for them begging in old age."

One Nigerian said he encountered them almost every day. He gave money at first, but now he tries to evade them.

Some beggars even stay near the checkout counters at restaurants and supermarkets, waiting for foreign customers. Even after being yelled at by shop assistants, they just turn a deaf ear.

"They harass our customers every night. We can't bear it in our shop," said a male staffer at a supermarket.