Oddly, the system seems to work for many, many people. I'm not understanding why you should be singled out for such (apparently universal) draconian treatment. It doesn't make sense. I also don't understand why the police would respond to somebody complaining about your "asking for help".

Sorry, but it does sound like a scam. If you're truly in that kind of trouble, you need to contact Social Services and/or local charities. I'm not hardhearted, but neither was I born yesterday.

Mac