Beware of the monks.?

It’s an odd sounding statement. After all, Buddhist monks are popularly known for kindness, peacefulness and generosity. But the advice comes straight from New York City Buddhist leaders, who say that panhandlers have been dressing like monks — right down to the shaved head and orange robes — as a means to con tourists out of money.?

The men reportedly hand passersby golden medallions or simply peaceful tidings before asking for donations to help build a temple in Thailand. Only, there is no temple in Thailand, and the “monks” reportedly become irate, are unrelenting in their demands and occasionally aggressive.