AIBU to wonder if giving cash to a stranded tourist was naive

[LovingLilacDuck]

I just got approach by a tourist woman in Paddington who said she got her purse stolen in Oxford Street. She asked me for some cash as she had to put blockage on all her bank cards because they were stolen. And she needed the cash to go to her hotel or something like that. She was good looking, she said she was a lawyer from Amsterdam and was soft spoken but also a little nervous. And she was so happy when I gave her the cash that she gave me a hug and thanked me in a genuine way.

I helped her because she seemed genuine. Of course, there is a chance she could be a scammer herself so a part of me feels a bit sad and naive. But I just want to hope that she wasn’t and I helped a woman in need.

What would you do in this situation? I am just curious. xx

Me too. London is heaving with options.

Probably a scam but if I lost my card access and had no cash, I couldn't access money via my phone as I don't use those wallet things just cards.

Just because she is skeptical of scams doesnt mean she lacks compassion.

That is a ridiculous conclusion to make. Plus, she literally said it impacted her emotionally so much that she started donating to homeless charities.

Nitpicking about the type of charity she is choosing to donate to (which is exactly what you did) is uncalled for and completely lacking in compassion itself.

A while back I was in Central London and momentarily couldn't find my phone in my bag. I panicked for a few moments, then having found it, started thinking what I wouid have done as my transport card and payment options were all on it. I live in London but it would have been a long walk home.

I decided I would have gone into a well known store and asked if I could phone my DH whose number I know by heart. I certainly didn't think of accosting a complete stranger.

You seem to have missed the point completely.

The poster described seeing organised crime gang dropping off professional beggars who are generally trafficked for this purpose.

That shouldn’t make you “skeptical” it should open your eyes to these activities and the plight of the victims.

Of course it should make you skeptical - you'd be an absolute idiot to still believe those scams once you've seen whom is behind it - eg the gangs 🙄

But sure, you are better than everyone else because you are more compassionate and kind.

We get it.

You have been scammed.
Happened to me one before too. I fell for a sob story and then saw her waltz off laughing with her mates.

Never again.

Lesson learnt.

X

This, although in this instance you’d be cleared out:

In 2008, broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson published his own bank account number and sort code in The Sun newspaper to prove that concerns over data privacy were overblown. He confidently stated that the details could only be used to deposit money. Shortly after, a reader used the information to set up an unauthorized £500 direct debit to charity

Well he wouldn't have lost out due to the direct debit guarantee.

Not referring to believing the scam?!

Once you’ve seen organised crime for yourself - you’re less skeptical it exists and more aware of the predicament of the victims.

Right, and if you naively gave your bank details to an OCG via a well dressed beggar would that be okay because the bank (other customers) would cover your losses?

You give your bank details to many people.

Any of them could do the same.

Besides don't people keep an eye on their bank accounts? Mine sends me notifications about things like DDs being set up etc

Oh wow @Thechaseison71, if you can’t see the difference between giving your bank details to someone you know, or have had business dealings with, and someone who is scamming you on the street and may have an OCG behind them set up to defraud people I don’t think there’s any point continuing this conversation.

Lots of British Transport Police at Paddington Station, and often Oxford Circus as well.

So tell me what's the difference in giving your bank details to someone you don't know, say if they were buying something from you and the random person?

The effect is the same. For example I could've set up a DD as you say from a companies bank details, which are often published.

But I'm sure they also keep an eyes of accounts so this doesn't happen.

Scam simple.

Being a lawyer would be my first clue, im sure the police would have helped her get to her hotel.

It's well known these are gangs and the kids are drugged to keep them quiet.

No, I would have used the cards on my phone/walked back to my hotel/asked for help at the police station/asked to use the phone at a random hotel to ring my bank all before asking a stranger.

But had exhausted all those options, I would have asked a stranger before going into a random bank and asking them to get in touch with my home bank to somehow wire me cash.

I don’t think it is kindness. I think you’re confirming that it’s easy to scam people and they will then just continue to scam other people. People who maybe couldn’t afford to throw away £30.

I don’t know anyone in real life who has been stuck and asked a stranger for money! Do you?

Amd I’m not a heartless bithc btw. I’ve paid for a young person’s shopping once in a supermarket when they’d forgotten their bank card. They were frantic bless ‘em, I offered to pay and they wouldn’t let me go without taking some details so they could pay it back. Which they did.

That’s a good point. OP’s scammer didn’t even offer to reimburse her.

Why would you potentially make someone uncomfortable before going to a random nsnk (or an embassy)?

My main worry would be a Distract and Grab . Either when I went into my bag to get my purse they would grab something , or take my purse out of my hand .
The "big hug" they could be checking if I had something in my pocket or handing something to someone else .

Well yes embassy would rank higher too - I didn’t give an exhaustive list.

I’d have been as likely to go to bank to ask for help as a supermarket I think. I’d be at the point of actual desperation then, and at that point yes I would risk making someone feel uncomfortable if I felt I had no other choice. I’d probably go to a bus driver first or public transport ticket office and see if they could help though.

Next time I’m abroad I’m half minded to go into a bank and ask them if I can withdrew cash for my UK bank account without a card and see if it is indeed possible, as I remain sceptical…

I’d have been as likely to go to bank to ask for help as a supermarket I think. I’d be at the point of actual desperation then, and at that point yes I would risk making someone feel uncomfortable if I felt I had no other choice. I’d probably go to a bus driver first or public transport ticket office and see if they could help though.

The random bank would get you the 24/7 emergency line for your bank (if you couldn’t find a branch of your bank). The random bank would be more helpful than anyone in a supermarket and allow you to call your bank. The point is there’s no need whatsoever to potentially make anyone feel uncomfortable by asking for money.

It's usually a scam. Gang related. The police don't seem to have cracked it over the years, I don't think they know who is in the country for a start, let alone who the ganglords are.