The brother of an apparent street beggar who became an internet star for spending $100 on food for other people claims his 'mentally unstable' sibling chose to be homeless and is awaiting a $150,000 inheritance. Kevin Nickel also said the man the internet knows as Thomas - whose online donation kitty has received more than $135,000 from members of the public - is actually named Kenneth Nickel, or Kenny, and that he wants people to know 'it's all a scam' so that the donated money can go to those who actually need it. 'He's sitting on money - he's sitting on an estate,' Mr Nickel told CBS Los Angeles.
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YouTube star Josh Paler Lin filmed himself giving beggar Thomas $100
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Video showed Thomas spending cash on food for his homeless friends
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Thomas' brother Kevin Nickel says his name is Kenneth Nickel and goes by Kenny
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Claims his brother is 'sitting on' money from their parents estate
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An online donations page for 'Thomas' has received over $135,000
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One witness who saw the video filmed said Paler Lin drove Thomas to the liquor store
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Thomas insists he had never met Paler Lin before, events were not set up
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Paler Lin told DailyMail.com the events were natural and not pre-planned
'They go to a homeless person and make a feel-good video because they know that's going to get views,' said one YouTube user, referring to the site's personalities, such as @placeholder.