A hunchbacked beggger who was earning more than 4,000 dollars a month has been arrested in Thailand.

Cambodian illegal migrant Gom Pormee, 56, would hobble around bent forwards with his head almost touching his toes while pleading with locals for help.

Concerned passers-by filled his pockets with up to 5,000 baht (136 USD) an HOUR - netting him and his family around 150,000 baht (4,080 USD) per month.

Good Samaritans even raised money online to help Gom, was affectionately nicknamed 'Uncle V' by locals for the way his upper body bent forward from his waist.

However, residents became suspicious when they would see disabled Gom, his wife, daughter and mother-in-law feasting on expensive sea bass and giant river prawns in nearby restaurants at night.

Footage emerged of the handicapped hustler on social media and police arrested Gom on Sunday, September 4 at the Sri Amata Nakhon Temple Market.

Local police officers and staff from the Thai Immigration Bureau said Gom was working illegally in the country. They revealed he had been nabbed three times before on begging and illegal entry charges before being deported each time - only to return to his lucrative begging scheme.

Officials speaking to local media the family would fan out to different markets to beg for money, netting about 5,000 baht (136 USD) every day for a total of 150,000 baht (4,080 USD) per month - significantly more than what local workers earn.

Villagers said the family had been begging in the area for about a decade, but were puzzled as the foreigners could afford splurging on expensive food such as shrimp.

Meanwhile, Gome said he has been suffering from his illness - which was genuine - since he was 22 years old, adding that he has been begging from markets for roughly 20 years now.

He, his wife, and his daughter are detained at the Muang Chon Buri police station while awaiting deportation. His mother-in-law, who was found to have legal entry documents, was allowed to stay.