Yishun beggar 'used $1,000 note to buy coffee'

SINGAPORE -Residents in Yishun have been irked by the sight of a disabled beggar in a wheelchair, whom they claim is not as poor as he seems.

According to a Wanbao report, the man, is frequently seen in the Yishun-Chompang area. But some residents whom the Chinese daily spoke to are not sympathetic to his plight.
They claim the man had begged for money to buy TOTO in November last year. But after winning $660,000 in the draw, he disappeared.

During that time, he allegedly used the prize money to buy a three-room flat in Ang Mo Kio worth $300,000, as well as a car and an expensive watch, say residents.

However, barely six months later, they saw him on the streets again, begging for money. Indignant, some have even stopped charitable passers-by from giving him money.
Said one resident: "It's too much, he's so rich yet he still begs for money. When people give him $2, he asks for $5!"

Another resident, Mr Huang, 58, said the man - who looks to be in his 40s - became big-headed after winning the lottery, and would flaunt his new-found wealth wherever he went.

Mr Huang claimed besides buying the house and car, the man once took out a $1,000 note at a coffeeshop to buy a cup of coffee.

Retiree Mr Qiu, 78, said the man would appear humble and reserved when on the street begging, but after "work", he becomes different person.
But not all are affected by the beggar's bad reputation.
Said one passerby: "We do not know for sure that he struck the lottery, it could be just a rumour. He has lost a leg after all, we should still help him!"

One passerby who gave him money said he donated the money out of goodwill, and did not care whether the man had won the lottery before.

Residents who have approached the man to ask about his winnings say he told them that his elder brother had taken all his money.
When approached by Wanbao's reporter, the man refused to comment.