Alleged professional beggars have been nabbed in Melbourne for duping generous Australians out of cash and sending it to China.

Seven people have been charged with begging and possessing suspected proceeds of crime after being arrested with about $1000 in cash on CBD streets this week.

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The group had come to Australia on tourist visas allegedly as part of a criminal syndicate and claimed to be homeless but all had accommodation, police said.

Alleged professional beggars have been nabbed in Melbourne. Credit: Reddit

"(These) people have flown into the country just to make money off Melburnians' goodwill," Acting Inspector John Travaglini told ABC radio on Friday.

"We're a generous bunch but we've got a zero tolerance for that sort of behaviour.

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"It's really hard to get a real understanding of how much money these people are making because of the fact they are exchanging some of the currency."

Chevron Right Icon '(These) people have flown into the country just to make money off Melburnians' goodwill.'

Insp Travaglini said the "professional beggars" had been caught with receipts showing money collected had been converted into Chinese currency.

Seven people are charged with begging and possessing suspected proceeds of crime. Credit: Reddit

They have been referred to federal police and the Australian Border Force.

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- With AAP