Police discovered a large network of human trafficking between Geneve and Annemasse.  The criminals forced men, elderly and children to beg in the street:

http://www.tdg.ch/geneve/actu-genevoise/operation-envergure-douane-moillesulaz-dizaines-roms-apprehendes/story/24803825

http://www.tdg.ch/geneve/actu-genevoise/Forces-a-mendier-pour-remettre-l-argent-a-leurs-exploiteurs/story/18998859

http://www.tdg.ch/geneve/actu-genevoise/Un-reseau-mafieux-exploitait-des-mendiants-roms-entre-Annemasse-et-Geneve/story/22507614

According to the Police, a child can raise 600 CHF/day (12000 CHF/month, higher than a good Genevois salary) by begging:

http://www.tdg.ch/suisse/Un-enfant-peut-rapporter-jusqu-a-600-francs-par-jour/story/28985113

Outragedly, a "right to beg" is actually defended and encouraged by the association Mesemrom, which challenged more than 10'000 fines given by the Police to Rom beggars.  Because of this, the UDC called for the association to be closed:

http://www.tdg.ch/geneve/actu-genevoise/udc-geneve-veut-dissolution-lassociation-mesemrom/story/11413198

If you give to these beggars, you're actually subsidizing the Mafia -- think about that.  If you really want to help poor people, volunteer or donate to legitimate organizations such as the Armée du Salut or Caritas.