Beggars’ pilgrimage to Iaşi – incredible sums collected in just a few hours

In Iaşi, a surge of beggars, including many from Ukraine and Moldova, is taking advantage of the Saint Parascheva pilgrimage to earn money. Local authorities struggle to deter them, as confiscating funds and issuing fines have little effect. A notable case involved a 24-year-old Ukrainian woman who pretended to have health issues while begging from a wheelchair. Despite police intervention, she remained unfazed and continued her activities. The presence of children and wheelchairs significantly boosts begging profits, making Iaşi a hotspot for this practice during the pilgrimage. Police acknowledge that as long as donations continue, the issue will persist.