Why would it be illegal? It's just the free exchange of money between two individuals, and if the recipient is anonymous the donor is under no obligation to give money. Karyn didn't get arrested but rather, was on 20/20.
I saw a news program that talked about e panhandling. 1. Is it legal to ask for large sums of money from people off the internet? 2. Is it legal to ask for money if the donor doesn't know who the recipient is, but gives anyway?