Police today arrested a 32-year-old man for swindling people into making bogus Sichuan earthquake donations.

Bank staff members found notices with an account number allegedly for Sichuan donations posted on the screen of automatic teller machines at branches in Central, Wan Chai and North Point yesterday.

The man, the alleged account holder, is suspected of posting the notices and $8,000 had been deposited into the account. He was arrested for obtaining property by deception and is being questioned.

Anyone who organises donations in public for charity should apply for and display a permit from the Director of Social Welfare. People should report suspicious fund-raising activity to Police.

Victims of similar recent deception cases should call Police.