In the „Clear Cup Scam“, a begging or homeless person intentionally places a clear plastic cup on the sidewalk in the path of passersby. The begging person’s goal is for passersby to (unintentionally) kick the cup over, feel sorry, and give the beggar money.
What is the „Clear Cup Scam“? Explanation, Meaning, Definition
In the „Clear Cup Scam“, the cup is barely or hard to see on the sidewalk, so passersby would kick it over if they were not paying attention. The cup usually contains a few coins.
The person who placed the transparent cup on the sidewalk in the way is usually sitting a few feet away from it.
That passers-by kick over the transparent cup is the goal of the begging person. Because after the cup has been kicked over, the beggars make a scene, get loud, beg aggressively and demand compensation.
Partly, the transparent cups are also placed near manhole covers. If a passerby now kicks over this cup, it can happen that some coins fall into the manhole.
The „Clear Cup Scam“ is also carried out near narrow passages. Because here the chance that the cup will be kicked over is higher due to the narrowness.
What is the goal of the „Clear Cup Scam“?
The beggars bet on the fact that the passers-by are sorry that they kicked the cup over and from the feeling of pity and guilt they hope for a gift and some money.
Clear Cup Scam Situation: How Should You React?
The person who kicks over the clear cup should just keep walking. The begging or homeless person will shout something. You should ignore that and just keep walking. Once you get involved in a conversation or interaction, it will be hard to get away from the person.
Is the Clear Cup Scam really a scam?
What does the word „scam“ even mean? In a scam, a person is deceived and cheated by a scammer. The scamming person fakes something to get money from the victim.
Let’s assume that the beggars who perform the „Clear Cup Scam“ are real beggars. Then it would not be a scam, but rather a trap. This is because the cup is intentionally placed in the way.
If the beggars are not real beggars, it would be a scam, because they pretend to be in need of help and homeless.
Further explanation: In Europe (and also India), there is an organized begging mafia that places fake beggars and homeless people in busy places and streets. Here, these people are supposed to beg for money. The begging mafia is organized in such a way that it defends its terror territory and, as in a „normal“ working day, drops off its „employees“ in the morning and collects them again in the evening and brings them back to their shelters. – This text is not intended to criminalize beggars and the homeless, but to raise awareness of the fact that some people take advantage of the goodwill and charity of others in order to make a profit.
However, whoever kicks against the cup can still decide for themselves whether or not to give money to the beggar.
However, the offense of coercion could be met if the beggars aggressively demand a donation. (If this happens, the police should be informed immediately).
Where has the „Clear Cup Scam“ been seen?
There are reports on the Internet that the Clear Cup Scam has been observed in Brussels, Athens and Paris, among other places.