An urban management officer, also known as Chengguan, was seen holding up a sign that said sham right next to a pair of beggars in east China’s Jiangsu on February 11, 2017.

One of the beggars was on his knee begging for money for his “sick mother,” who was lying beside him. And the Chengguan officer with the warning sign stood just ten feet away. The photos of the scene went viral online.

The Chengguan officer told reporters that the beggar, surnamed Fan, was a “professional beggar" who had been seen begging money on street, every time accompanied by an elderly.  And this time the elder woman was his mother-in-law. The officer also said that Fan was spotted using an iPhone, dressing in luxury brands and staying in a hotel.

Fan along with many of his family members see begging as a career. According to reports, they once travelled to Singapore to beg with more than ten thousand a day received, and were later repatriated.

Local Chengguan warned citizens to be aware of these fake beggars’ sham, especially during holiday seasons, and be sure to call the police upon seeing minors begging on the street.