Lakewood: A meshulach stole a charity date - and the activity was suspended

The local charity board in Lakewood, giving the credentials of collecting money with a nice bonus to the various meshulachim froze contributions until further notice, due to a meshulach who reached out and stole 25 checks from the charity box, at a total cost of $2,500.

As we know, all the meshulachim in Lakewood have to pass a hurdle called the charity board. This arrangement exists in other cities around the world, such as the neighborhood of Golders Green and Manchester in England, and aims to prevent crooks to take money fraudulently from people, without justifiable humanitarian purpose. Certificate issuance fee ranging from $ 35 to $ 45 (depending on whether it is an institution or a private individual). On the other hand, the committee also gives a contribution of one hundred dollars, to anyone registered.

Even on Purim, when Lakewood was flooded with money raisers, they had to display a confirmation when they beg and ask for monetary gifts to the poor. Many residents of Lakewood do not give cash to those knocking on the door, but only a refund voucher nicknamed "watcher".

The day after Purim long lines formed outside the charity board, hundreds of meshulachim came to redeem the promised check for one hundred dollars. The Committee Directors, tend to issue a check a few days after the initial registration, and when the meshulach comes to return the certificate he received, he gets the check.

One of the meshulachim exploited the tumult and chaos which prevailed at the scene, reached into the office window and stole 25 checks. Fortunately, although the names of beneficiaries appear therein, they are not limited to the beneficiary only and negotiable checks. Disappointed meshulachim who spoke with B'Chadrei Charedim, argued that the conduct of the board is slightly negligent since after the beneficiary takes the check, proper accounts which documents it is not conducted since the check has been collected. "Obviously chaos was caused when the board members did not know who had received the check and who has not, and had to freeze everything."

The thief rushed to cash the checks. But in order that they will not notice the theft, by presenting too many checks that the stated amount is one hundred dollars and all from the charity board, he turned to every possible money changer in the city and asked each one to cash two or three checks only, so they will not notice the fraud.

But the theft was published, and the thief was quick to flee the scene. Many meshulachim rushed to the Charity Committee to get their due, but they closed the cash register, and announced that until things become clearer, it cannot continue to give her regular contributions.

The charity board began efforts to track down the thief and took testimonies from anyone who saw the man or fell victim to cashing the checks. When the evidence accumulated, the members of the committee were able to outline the approximate profile of the man. Please note that the Committee has pictures of everyone who came to ask for permission. Therefore, the picture and the details entered into the computer are known to the management committee. However, at this stage, the committee refrains from filing a complaint, because despite his legitimate activities, it is unclear what his legal status and financial status is with the authorities - and its leaders are afraid to get involved with the government.

And where is the thief? Before he left he was talking to one of the meshulachim that the next goal is Atlantic City. But as stated, the details are with the committee and they are now considering how to act against him.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!