Asked for cash, what would you do?

Had it happen 3 times, twice in Faro and it was the same guy and same story 2 years on the trot. The other one was in Vila Real DeSanto he scammed my wife with a sob story then I watched him scam others then straight over the road and came back with a 2 bags full of booze. I had a few words with him when my mate drove in and he tried it on him
 
It happens the world over. Had a young woman ask for the pound from my trolley as she didn't have the bus fare home. I offered to take her home and said my wife is in the car, you are perfectly safe. The vile language that came from her mouth was not particularly ladylike.
I mentioned the woman to an employee at the shop collecting trolleys and he confirmed she was a regular problem and an alcoholic. As soon as she had made enough money she goes into the shop and buys a bottle of cheap vodka which she drinks in the carpark and starts again
 
Just smiffy said:
This reminds me when one night just got into bed and there’s a knock on the door, went down and some bloke on the step said can you give me a push..! I said no chance mate and slammed the door, back upstairs mrs asks what was that about so told her and she said he might have his wife and kids in the car and just needs a jump start go and help him... so I goes down and outside shouts out where are you mate... “over here on the swing” he says...

😁
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I think the same bloke knocked on me door and asked for a push I did just that and he fell on his arse, no problem🤣
 
TheBig1 said:
It happens the world over. Had a young woman ask for the pound from my trolley as she didn't have the bus fare home. I offered to take her home and said my wife is in the car, you are perfectly safe. The vile language that came from her mouth was not particularly ladylike.
I mentioned the woman to an employee at the shop collecting trolleys and he confirmed she was a regular problem and an alcoholic. As soon as she had made enough money she goes into the shop and buys a bottle of cheap vodka which she drinks in the carpark and starts again
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Was she a member of MHF 🙂

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Well 99% its a scam but your a decent person and you can sleep with a very clear conciounce
 
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Reminds me of the Calais roundabout guy. About 20 years ago we were waved down by a guy in a Ford Sierra who had run out of fuel and needed to get back to the UK. It seemed very believable with his car bumped up on the pavement. We gave him some money and wished him well. A month or so later as we approached the same roundabout we could not believe how unlucky this poor guy was. He had not only ran out of fuel on his way to the tunnel but it was in exactly the same spot. How unlucky was he? He waved me down but I felt I got my moneys worth of abuse at him the robbing sod. On our travels through Calais we came across him a number of times, appeared he made a good living from his scam.
 
Genuine solution, offer to take them to the nearest Police Station ( anywhere in Europe applies) and ask to speak to a supervising officer. They will contact the Police in the country or town that they are allegedly from and will ask relatives or friends to lodge a surety with them say £50. They will in turn contact the Police station where the victim is and they will give them the same amount in cash to get them home. Internal transfer done and everyone happy. If at the mention of Police Station the do a runner or make up excuses you have your answer and a clean conscious Not many people aware that you can do this if in genuine dire straights
 
BishBosh said:
On returning to our van we are approached by a guy who explains he is with his family and needs to get to Holyhead but can’t get any fuel for his car. His credit card is being refused and his wife and daughter are distressed about getting back in time for his ferry.
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Don't feel bad about being duped. These guys hone the story and the acting to perfection. You really have to be a 100% cynical git to see through it. It is very easy to be taken in. Lesson learned (y)
 
Jim said:
Don't feel bad about being duped. These guys hone the story and the acting to perfection. You really have to be a 100% cynical git to see through it. It is very easy to be taken in. Lesson learned (y)
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Sound advice. They have been trying it on in services for years. Usually their is a car parked in the back of the parking area, when I was on Night Trunking, we saw it happen time and again. That and the prosies robbing the Euro Drivers!. ("short time" and walk away with his wallet).
 
We had it the other way round and it was us asking ! Drove down to Super U ( long before we lived here so 20 years ago) Sunday so shop closed but needed fuel ( motorbike ) Card in machine , refused as U.K. card and not enough fuel to get back to gîte ! Gave french guy cash and he filled tank ! Saved !!!

Si driving down to Spain a young guy heading south to see girlfriend . Same problem and he didn’t have enough euros so gave us pounds and we put petrol in . And no money was good not copies lol
 
The solutions above which I like are the 'bring your car, wife and children to the pump'. If they exist she is probably running a similar scam in the McDonalds next dorr.

The other is the passport details.

Geoff

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g3cwi said:
You gave him money and your details? How have you got on with the Nigerian Prince who wanted help? You really need some advice on looking after yourself.
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Helpful advice and in no way condescending, We exchanged mobile numbers should he be in a position to repay. That’s all. 😉
 
BishBosh said:
On our way to a few nights out in the motorhome we stop off at a service station on the M6 near Staffordshire. We take the dog out for a walk and use the facilities to freshen up a little.
On returning to our van we are approached by a guy who explains he is with his family and needs to get to Holyhead but can’t get any fuel for his car. His credit card is being refused and his wife and daughter are distressed about getting back in time for his ferry.
Reading this and thinking about I would say that we have been had and given in to begging at the services, however we couldn’t walk away and gave the guy £40 believing his story, we also saw others after also giving him some cash (he said he needed £80 to get home).
We’re doing alright and I don’t think I’d have been okay with saying no, he did send me a text message, after asking for my number, so he could repay when he got back and sent me a message so I have his number. I won’t chase the £40 and will leave it as it is. I will update should things change but has anyone else had this or similar? What did / would you do.....
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If I had the cash I would help them out.

More than once people have helped me out with me having no way to repay them except to, 'Pass it on!'

In the days before so much tech;

No fuel at a filling station, in France, the middle of the night, the pumps wouldn't accept my English credit card and no way to pay with cash.

A French person arrived and after a discussion of the problem he filled my van on his card and refused to take the cash.

Again in France, crossing on a toll bridge approaching the port the automatic barrier wouldn't accept my cards. The French HGV driver behind me came over and paid and as I only had Sterling left he wouldn't accept it even though he was on the same ferry to the UK. We settled on me buying the drinks onboard, but he never came to the bar.
 
It’s been going on for years. As a new lorry driver in 1973 I got stung for £5 in Darlington lorry park
by a bloke supposedly trying to get back home to visit his sick mother. Thought nothing more about
it until I saw him again a few days later doing the very same thing at Boroughbridge. When he left he got
into a brand new Rover 2200.
At a fiver a time he would have made good living. A lot more than I was making......Barsteward !!

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We used to spend time in Spain and there was a northern european guy who was well known for his scam that went on for years. He would approach a householder, just as they were arriving home, and his story was that he had locked himself out and needed 20-30 euros for the locksmith. Must have made a lot of money over the years
 
you should refer him to the local council emergency helpline, number is obtainable through the police apparently (not 999 though !)
 
Had exactly the same story at a service area near Calais. Told the chap I had no cash but would fill up the car for him on my cc. He declined. 20 mins later we saw him being picked up in an old van. The family he pointed out weren't his!
 
Had the same story on M25 services at Clackets Lane by a young girl in an oldish Citroen. Can yo give me £30 for petrol to get home as Ive not got enough petrol in my tank.
Seemed genuine but luckily I asked a few questions as to where she come from and exactly where she was heading and there's no way she would have been in that services if the route was correct.
I declined her offer and was rewarded by a stream of expletives. Lesson learned.
 
Many years ago my brother and a friend were on motorbikes returning from a 3 week holiday in the south of France.
They were supposed to catch the ferry from Cherborg.
When they got there, the port was closed due to a strike
They then drove to Le Havre, which then also closed
then onto Bolougne, Calais, Dunkirk all closed
By this time they were down to sleeping under hedges with zero money and the bikes were running on fumes.
3 days later they then arrived at Zebrugge, along with thousands of other British vehicles who had followed the same route.
Their tickets were not valid, as it was a different ferry company.

They had no more money (this was in the days of cash and travelers cheques)
So my brother knocked on the window of a Range Rover in the queue and asked if they could borrow enough for the fare and the fuel.
Would you lend money to a couple of young lads on filthy bikes who looked they had been sleeping under hedges for a few days ?
The guy gave them the money !!!

Needless to say a cheque was in the post the next day.
So sometimes it's not a scam

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