A man representing a charitable entrepreneur from Shenyang, Liaoning province, attempted to swindle 180,000 yuan ($28,900) from a recipient in Chongqing, Chongqing Morning Post reported on Friday.

The man, surnamed Yang, worked for Mao Ximing, a low-profile entrepreneur who has been devoted to charitable work for more than a decade.

Mao planned to donate 200,000 yuan on May 2 to Xia Yulan, whose two children are seriously ill. Mao asked Yang to represent him to meet Xia in person and get her bank account information so Mao could transfer the money.

However, after the money was transferred, Yang told Xia that Mao only intended to donate 20,000 yuan and she needed to return the difference of 180,000 yuan to Yang in cash.

Xia refused to return the money and contacted Mao on May 7, who informed her the full 200,000 yuan was to help her children.

Xia's 4-year-old son has been diagnosed as being at high risk of leukemia and her three-month-old daughter has been in critical condition since she was born.