Scammer, Long Lane area

A gent knew what he was doing when he came into our church after the service when there were just a few old ladies left inside and pleaded for £50 to pay to get his car unclamped and,of course,he'd be straight back with the money for them.These old dears clubbed together to help out,well,after having had a soul-searching sermon how could they dare take the risk of not helping a fellow human in distress? I groaned when I heard what had happened,me being rather more streetwise than these citizens of a bygone age,bless them. Wouldn't it have been great to be able to report that he returned their money with a bunch of flowers and grateful thanks? Absolutely right,he didn't do this,of course but one doesn't like to lose faith too frequently,it's upsetting,huh?

The crazy thing is, that the skills needed to play a successful con like this would be so useful.. what I'm saying is that if the scammeres were to get a 'straight' job, they could do really well.

..doing what?

Estate agency.

Sales, pr, marketing, office politics, counseling, acting, meja, teaching... other suggestions?

Hostage negotiation.

Not sure I'd want them teaching my children!

Anyway, on a lighter note, Mr P once lent a guy in a phone box £200 to get back to Scotland, he got it back a week later plus £20 and a thank you note.

I lent a guy £20 for cab fare to Eltham from the west end and got it back two days later plus a bouquet of flowers.

I was pick pocketed in Soho and a mini cab driver brought me home on the promise that I would pay him back once the bank was open (it was a Friday night) on Monday I sent him £20 for a £12 fare and a thank you note - I don't know what I would have done without him!

Anyway, i guess what I'm saying is beware of con-artists but don't dismiss people out of hand, sometimes the human race can surprise you (even when your friends tell you you're crazy to help out!)

£200 to get back to Scotland? Was the guy travelling first class?

On current prices, it sounds like he might have been trying to fill up his car....

I was stopped on Weston Street this afternoon by an middle-aged Irishman who first asked if I spoke English, then told me a story about his boss's van having left and his wife being moved from St. Thomas to another hospital, and he'd give me his mobile to hold and be back in 20 minutes and repay me if I could only give him £4 so he could go to the other hospital. Being a long-time city resident I was suspicious, and trying to assess his story (he was very convincing), when a young man came up and said "My wife found £2 in her purse" and gave it to him. I ponied up my £2 and went on.

I suspect it was a scam but on the other hand I hope someone would help me if I were ever in such a situation, and £2 isn't much. (Though I admit I'm somewhat tempted to drop into The Rose and see if he's there.)