Story By: John Feng, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This footage shows a group of ‘wedding beggars’ who block a newlywed couple’s motorcade and refuse to leave until they are given money in return for good wishes.

The seven men – ages ranging between mid-30s to mid-60s – targeted the motorcade of white vehicles with red ribbons hanging off them in Mizhu County in north-western China’s Shaanxi Province.

Footage from a crossroads shows the group blocking the cars and asking for money in a corruption of a similar traditional Chinese practice.

Though now no longer common, acquaintances and relatives of newlyweds would be given presents in the form of money in red envelopes as a way of sharing good fortune on the auspicious occasions.

However, county police said the main suspect, surnamed Gao, and his six accomplices forcefully demanded money from drivers and passengers in the motorcade.

They stopped traffic for about three minutes and only let the vehicles pass when they were given cash by the defeated wedding guests on 3rd September.

The authorities six the group of seven were all arrested for participating in what is now considered to be a light form of organised crime.

The police announced that the group were each jailed for five days for public order offences.

The authorities added they would be stepping up efforts to stamp out the behaviour, which is now frowned upon.

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