Special investigators have hit the streets of Bradford to track down charity magazine conmen who can net £100,000 a year through the callous scam.
Networks of illegal vendors have been touting the fraudulent publications in the city centre, promising buyers that cash raised will go to good causes.
In reality, each pound donated simply lines the crooks' pockets and deprives charities of desperately-needed funds.
The Charity Commission - which headed yesterday's operation - said legitimate fundraising groups did sell magazines and stressed that shoppers needed to know the difference between the 'real thing' and fraudulent publications.
As investigators - including Colin McPoland and Fiona Brannigan, pictured with fake magazines - trawled the city centre in search of the conmen, Simon Gillespie, the Charity Commission's director of operations, said: "We are not trying to put people off buying bona fide magazines or giving money to charity - they should just make sure they know where their pound or two pounds are going."
"The stuff these fraudulent magazine vendors are selling is basically rubbish."
He said that sellers would often make vague claims that their takings would go to 'blind children' or 'disadvantaged orphans' and added: "People in doubt should ask them specific, sensible questions such as which precise group will their money go to, what proportion of it will go to charity and how much has been raised so far."
Legitimate vendors would be happy to answer and to provide the registered number of the group supported, he added.
He said: "Selling fraudulent magazines is a big and illicit business. There are networks of vendors on the streets and the ringleaders can easily make £100,000 a year.
"They cost very little to produce and every pound handed over soon mounts up."
Offenders face charges ranging from selling products without a vendor's licence to criminal deception.
There have been a number of successful prosecutions in Bradford and in surrounding areas over recent months.
Mr Gillespie said: "What these people are doing is really awful.
"They are totally abusing the goodwill and generous nature of the public."
Anyone concerned about a vendor should contact the Charity Commission's contact centre on 0870 333 0123.
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