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The ‘phenomenon’ of younger men approaching older women in the street. Is this an organised scam and what do they want?

208 replies

azar · 15/03/2021 11:49

I am 47 years old, married with 4 DC. In recent weeks (this is on Fulham Road), I’ve been approached on two separate occasions by two men who are both maybe early 30s and both have the same kind of “patter” (if you can call it that). There was also another one this morning, who I didn’t engage with at all because I suspected the same thing. They ask you “Excuse me, do you live round here?” So you stop because you think they need directions, etc. At this point, they tell you they have just moved to the area from another (nearby) part of London and they ask you again if you are local. They are British with British accents. They say something about how they want to meet people and would you like to go for coffee / lunch with them there and then Confused. They are reasonably good-looking men by average standards and would not strike you as odd if you walked past them in the street. A similar thing has also happened to a friend last week.

I’m sure this is some kind of scam, but I wonder what it is they actually want? Are they just trying to get a free lunch? Are they expecting you to take them to your home and then they will rob you or worse? (They are very interested in whether you are local). What do they actually think is going to happen and why would they think an older woman would be interested in someone their age?

Has anyone else experienced this?

OP posts:
ElftonWednesday · 03/01/2022 06:13

Hardly a zombie, it's only from March 2021 and a perfectly current issue.

EishetChayil · 03/01/2022 06:34

[quote NatashaBedwouldbenice]@RachAnneKirl90 resurrected a zombie. For unknown reason.[/quote]

It's not a crime.

This is a hugely relevant issue that ought to be discussed.

NatashaBedwouldbenice · 03/01/2022 07:42

It’s not a crime, but it is poor use otherwise it wouldn’t be a thing. If it’s still an important issue where you live 9 months on, then start a new thread.

EishetChayil · 03/01/2022 07:53

If you don't like it, report it to MNHQ and ask them to delete it then.

Otherwise let people discuss a very important topic, with lots of useful information already on the thread.

SpringDaisies · 03/01/2022 07:56

Presumably because a current thread on a similar type of behaviour is trending today. Someone searched for similar?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4443025-Was-I-chatted-up-or-was-it-a-scam-of-some-kind

TakeMe2Insanity · 03/01/2022 08:01

I seem to remember watching a program about romance confidence tricksters that are being filmed.

AnxiousHeffalump · 03/01/2022 11:47

Sad as it is, I’d be scared about being rude in case they got offensive and insulting.

Deathraystare · 03/01/2022 13:01

My first thought was - Mormons! However, perhaps not.

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