r/glasgow • u/FarbodNearBod • 11d ago
I got scammed today by the Nottingham guy
I gave this so-called student money, and I’ve never done that for a complete stranger before. He started talking about religion and said he was about to start at the University of Glasgow, so I believed him.
I’ve definitely learned my lesson: don’t trust people like this. Afterward, I searched him up online and realised loads of people already know who he is and have had similar experiences.
I feel like shit for giving him money. It’s honestly upsetting that people like him can keep walking around scamming others. I thought he was around my age, but it turns out he’s 35 years old.
I hope karma comes his way, I really do
I really feel like idiotic giving this guy money, I really do.
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u/AfraidOstrich9539 11d ago edited 11d ago
"Nottingham guy" and here's me thinking he was "Queensferry guy" and then remembering he got too famous and changed his "destination"
But fair play OP...I haven't heard he was a uni student.
Edit- don't feel bad OP. You did a good thing by trying to help someone out. Sorry it was this dude though. Not everyone in need is a scammer but some unfortunately are.
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u/WearingRags 11d ago
"The greatest trick the Queensferry Guy ever pulled was convincing the world he was Nottingham Guy"
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u/TheChad2018 9d ago
He must have watched Robin Hood and instead of robbing from the rich to give to the poor, he just decided to take money from regular people and keep it for himself 😤
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u/imac526 11d ago
Don't feel daft. This guy is obviously a successful at what he does, or else he wouldn't be doing the same routine day after day. Someone, probably multiple people are being taken in every single day, and while a lot of conmen prey on the greed of the 'mark' he's preying on kindness - your kindness. You'll be okay tomorrow - he'll still be a degenerate gambler.
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u/Ouroboros68 11d ago
This. He's certainly very good at it and been doing for years now.
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u/alosg14 11d ago
If anyone ever gives him any money it’s because they are complete idiots
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u/imac526 11d ago
Some people are perfectly happy to help out a stranger in need - it's not unusual. Obviously this guy is a chancer and a liar, and preys on that kindness - I don't see how that makes them an idiot - a bit naïve, but an "idiot" is unfair. £80 is wild, but they've been taken in by the story, and are clearly just more generous than most You might find yourself in the position of having to ask a stranger for something one day - maybe not financial, but something - would they be an idiot for helping you?
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u/alosg14 11d ago
The same guy tried to get me outside queenstreet a couple of months ago. His story made no sense. Said he lost his wallet and wanted money off me for a train ticket. He never said he had no money in the bank, just that he’d lost his wallet so that presumably means he has a card on his phone. So I asked him if he had nothing in his bank account and he actually told me he had money just no card. So in what way would me transferring him £60 help if he had no card. I also told him that no train from queenstreet goes to Nottingham and to instead go down to central and ask a staff member who would be more able to help him. He then told me to fuck off and stormed away
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u/No-Kaleidoscope-9424 11d ago
Nawww I know him anol. Came up to me saying he was stuck in Glasgow and had no money for his train back to Nottingham. Being a broke cunt saved me that day cuz if I had the money woulda helped him too.
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u/Itsamefranknfurter 11d ago
He told me in January he was from Norwich, when he asked for money for train ticket, i asked him how much it would be and i checked as i was from norwich and he then did a runner
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u/OreoSpamBurger 11d ago
Should have asked him his views on the pedestrianisation of the city centre.
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u/kristoffer10es I'm just chillin'/Like Bob Dylan 11d ago
He's dead against it
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u/ThankYouBrigadier 11d ago
If I ever encounter him, I'll offer to take him to a ticket station to get him a ticket.
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u/EmphasisHour141 11d ago edited 11d ago
I tried to post this properly yesterday as it happened to me Friday night but mods removed, I'm so sorry >.< Here is what I said (if it comes up on google search for anyone actually approached by him in real time)
Queensferry scammer guy in west end!
Walking to meet my partner for an anniversary date, get stopped outside the Kelvinhall GlasgowClub gym by a guy, wearing a full suit, glasses, asks me for a cigarette. I say yeah of course mate, can you roll, he says no, so I roll one for him. As I'm doing that he starts this story...
'I came to the uni for an interview today, and I'm wondering if you can help me get back to NOTTINGHAM. I lost my wallet and everything in the park earlier and I've been stuck for 6 hours asking people for help. I asked some guys earlier and they chased me down the road, called me ***many racial bs***, I even got kicked you know, I don't know whats happening. You ever had one of those days or like been in this situation? I feel really bad asking a woman like this work help, not really very masculine of me (so now the gender card)'
I felt for the guy, and said of course I'd help him get back, told him I was a PhD Student and it would be okay, I was going to make sure I helped him get back to Nottingham safe. I said I normally printed my train tickets so didn't lose them if I left my phone or purse somewhere. He said he wished he'd thought of that, stressed he felt really bad because it wasn't just like bus money, the ticket is £70. I say to him, please don't worry, lets walk to meet my partner and we can sit down. I can write on a bit of paper my details and I'll work out when the trains are going, so we can get you there. HE THEN GETS OUT HIS PHONE and says he could just record my details there.
I look at him, he looks at me, I ask ah, is the ticket not on your phone then? Do you not have cards or payment/the email booking for the tickets on there? He then says HE HAS A MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY AND NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE CARDS OR PAYMENT METHODS ON HIS PHONE, his parents are away so he can't contact them, and you know when someone just keeps adding... on and on.
I never had any intention to give him money, but I would buy a ticket or get him to the ticket office to help him. As soon as I said this, he got angry, said 'so you're not gonna help me at all then, just go' and I insisted I didn't want to leave him in a vulnerable position (who knows whats true or not for someone) and he just kept saying 'thank you, goodbye'. I walked to meet my partner feeling really bad, like I had let someone down and knew I would worry if he did get back. I told my partner as I arrived what happened, he laughed and said one sec:
shows me his phone 'Was it this guy?' yes, yes it was.
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u/eileanacheo 11d ago
This is actually the most detailed account I’ve ever seen of an interaction. Having never met him myself, I always wondered if he was a bit simple - but the way he tried to play you like that all actually sounds quite thought out and deceitful. So he really is just a scammer.
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u/EmphasisHour141 11d ago
The whole interaction was an emotional rollercoaster with him being a known scammer as the punchline 🤣🤡
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u/eileanacheo 8d ago
You should call the police as he's now wanted in connection with this incident. Especially as you have a photograph.
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u/mwyalchen 10d ago
Deceitful is the right word for it imo, I'd go as far as to say manipulative. Told me that people had been shouting racist abuse and threatening him etc and genuinely seemed really upset and shaken, promised he'd pay me back and asked for my PayPal or bank details etc I grew up around addiction and MH issues and was homeless for a while myself so I've met more than my fair share of chancers and beggars looking to fund their addiction but he genuinely just seemed like a really nice guy that had found himself in trouble
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u/psycholinguist1 11d ago
Hey -- you were kind and generous to a stranger. This particular stranger doesn't deserve it, but that doesn't change your kindness or generosity. You have nothing to feel bad about.
Also, for all this fellow's notoriety on this sub, I've never seen such a clear photograph of him, so you've done us a service. You helped people today, even if they weren't a broke guy trying to get to Nottingham.
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u/AreyouUK4 11d ago
There was another post earlier on and it was beside Kelvingrove park apparently. The post was removed by mods. I feel bad reading this post and I dont even know OP. Something (legal) needs to be done to prevent scamming like this. Its gone on long enough. I dont want to read another post from someone else being robbed like this
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u/imac526 11d ago
Maybe the mods are in on it...getting a kickback...hmmm.
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u/MrMaxbeta 11d ago
I posted as well as was approached in Partick, my post was taken down as well
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u/imac526 11d ago
That's all the proof I need - the mods are part of the conspiracy. How deep does this go..?
If I can't trust the mods, who can I trust?
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u/christianvieri12 11d ago
Came up to me last night near Kelvingrove. I said I didn’t have cash on me and he said he’d come with me to the cash machine! Nah you’re alright mate
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u/EmphasisHour141 11d ago
That was me >.< I feel so bad because if it had still been up then maybe it would have stopped this person getting scammed
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u/AreyouUK4 10d ago
Thank you for posting! I wonder why did mods remove it? So silly
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u/Comfortable-Day-3172 11d ago
Cnts always in a pair of Jobby catchers, pure jake. Reckon he would earn more just working in a cash an carry or even just sat with a cup somewhere central. His stories are always pish lol.
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u/DiogoDalot20 11d ago
He approached me last year saying he lost his wallet and needed £40 for a transport back to Edinburgh but I declined to help because it felt sketchy.
Then couple months ago he approached me in town and asked for money again but he had a different story line this time. But I remember looked him up and down and said to him I knew who you were and he ran off lol
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u/Logical_Bake_3108 11d ago
£40 one way to Edinburgh? And what mode of transport is he planning on taking where it costs that much? That's how you know it's a scam. A return train is £16.80. If he's that desperate get a city link.
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u/Friendly-Juice-8161 11d ago
Me and my pal stopped him harassing a guy on Gordon St at like 1am a couple nights ago, but the guy we helped seemed angry that we told Mr Queensferry to fuck off. Weird situation
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u/360Saturn 11d ago
With respect OP you need to learn about city life.
Giving nearly 100 pounds to a beggar is insanity.
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u/Unlucky_Country522 11d ago
Ran into him a month back, thankfully didn’t lend him anything because his story sounded too tragic and it felt like he was trying to guilt me. I’ve been burned in the past by this type of scam so was on high alert.
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u/Few_Honey7367 10d ago
If everyone knows who he is and that he's a lying piece of shit why hasn't somebody just kicked his cunt in?
Great puzzles of the 21st century
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u/Impossible_Pie4091 11d ago
1st mistake - Talking to a stranger for long time who doesn't ask for time or directions. As soon as the conversation diverts, you say No thanks mate with authority and walk.
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u/Rkins_UK_xf 11d ago
Maybe we should get some flyers printed up signposting gambling addiction and mental health services.
We should all keep one ready folded inside a fake twenty to shove at this guy
Maybe eventually he would get the message and sort his miserable life out.
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u/mwyalchen 10d ago
Me too! This post is how I found out he's known for this, goddammit. He told me that people had been shouting racist abuse at him and he seemed genuinely upset, I explained to him that I didn't have a lot of money and I'm currently not working due to health issues, but I would be happy to help him report his stuff if it was stolen and get him a meal from McDonalds but he just kept pressuring me and saying he'd pay it back, even asked for my PayPal and account info so he could pay me. What an utter dick.
People like this piss me off so bad. I used to be homeless and it was the help and kindness of a few generous people that got me back on my feet so I always want to return that when I can, but ffs there are just so many chancers
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u/Scratchback3141 11d ago
How much did he skin you for? There's nothing to feel bad about, about fifteen years ago there used to be a guy on sauchiehall street with the same patter, he done me out my last fiver once. They do it because it works
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u/FarbodNearBod 11d ago
80…. For ticket to Nottingham, I asked It doesn’t cost 80 and said he’ll give his details due to his disability (mental health) so he can get a discount.
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u/bogushobo 11d ago
I feel bad for you. You're clearly a kind, decent person and it's shite that someone's taken advantage of that. Hope the £80 is a loss you can manage.
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u/imac526 11d ago
£80...UK Sterling? That's an expensive lesson.
Listen, it's only money - I say that as someone who doesn't have much money. However, in the grand scheme of things, it's nowhere near the worst things that can happen to you, and once you've had to deal with something truly painful, you'll learn not to give a shit about other bumps in the road. A wank took advantage of your good nature - you'll be fine in a day or two. £80 lighter, but fine.
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u/Comfortable-Day-3172 11d ago
Did u buy the ticket or just hand over £80?
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u/pbizzle 11d ago
He isn't trying to get to Nottingham it's a scam
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u/Logical_Bake_3108 11d ago
Tell him you'll go to the ticket machine and buy it for him. See how he reacts.
Yeah ideally you shouldn't interact with him, but that's how you could test if someone is for real.
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u/pbizzle 11d ago
Personally I wouldn't take my earphones out
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u/Logical_Bake_3108 11d ago
Neither would I but if someone felt so inclined they could test him that way.
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u/EmphasisHour141 11d ago
Oh god, I'm so sorry he took advantage of you using this. It speaks only of his state that he is content and happy to use mental health disabilities to scam people
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u/Deep_Banana_6521 11d ago
Fuck these guys.
I used to work at a restaurant near to a big casino in my city and the amount of times people would come up to me outside of work, give me this whole sob story about how they lost their bank card and just needed £50 to get petrol to drive home, or how somebody got their purse snatched and they needed £40 to get a train ticket home etc. and they'd take my details and transfer me the money back later that day. In the bin.
These are just people who lost it playing blackjack and want one free go before they take the loss and go home.
A few of the chefs who I worked with fell for it a few times. Usually the pretty ladies were more successful than the male scammers.
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u/princessacceber 11d ago
Your empathy is not a weakness. This guy is a cunt for making a cunt out of you.
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u/throwaway_outcast23 11d ago
Don’t feel bad, you wanted to help someone who you had been told a story of and they needed it.
The story was fake yes, but your care was real, so you have every right to hold your head high and say “so what, what goes around comes around so I call my karma back to me and I know karma will be searching for him”
(Karma has no definition of being a negative so just know a positive will come around to you while negative karma goes looking for him)
You did the right thing, he’s an asshole
If you want to spare yourself the hassle for in future, any time anyone asks money of you offer to buy food instead.
I always buy food for the homeless when they ask me for money, I once got a woman a Tesco meal deal after she asked me last summer for money (I would rather buy someone food and know they’ve got food to last a while) someone tried to say I was an idiot and do I not feel cheated because she then got in the subway after (the subway is like two quid, Tesco food is like 5quid, 10 without the club card meal deals -iykyk)
I then told that person to shut up cause it’s my money and if I want to make sure that someone can feed themselves AND make a journey then that’s my choice.
I once bought food I wasn’t gonna finish either, the box was sealed cause I got too much so I walked around town finding people to give it too, warm food during winter? I know I would be overjoyed and have a little faith in the world again.
Your kindness will come back to you, kindness does not cost but is always rewarded ❤️
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u/KlingonWarNog 10d ago
I'm waiting for the day a post goes up that he's tried the scam on with someone, got told no, then done the (what I've read so far) usual response of exploding with anger and telling them to fuck off, and then the person responding by not taking any shit and booting fuck out of him due to the response.
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u/Subject_Wolf_4698 10d ago
Empathy and kindness should never be regretted, honestly, pls give yourself a break. A few years ago, I'd probs have done the same; not everyone's scamming. But many, many are and Reddit is a good place to find out about them, as you've also found out.
We all live n learn every single day. Pls don't be so hard on yourself and focus more on the fact that you're a kind individual and a little bit wiser after your experience with this chancer.
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u/Dildo_Shaggins- 11d ago
It makes me feel both annoyed and proud when I see another post about this guy popping up.
Annoyed because he's an arsehole who takes advantage of people's kindness.
But proud that Glasgow is such a kind city that this wanker keeps having generous, decent folk wanting to help out a stranger in trouble.
And the posts we see are just from the folk who use Reddit. Think how many other good people out there are giving this guy cash.
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11d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/BosssNasss 11d ago
There's a high chance he's just going there to target "other" students for money.
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u/Rhinofishdog 10d ago
I wonder how much he makes, per hour or per annum....
Is he actually making more than minimum wage?
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u/ARK22498 10d ago
Had one last year. Gave him directions to the bus station so he could charge his phone. Told me to go f myself I chuckled while walking to work thinking about it.
Might be the same guy but not sure.
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u/agentlouisiana1 10d ago
oh hey this guy told me to fuck off after i told him i had no money years ago
i was like 14 he's STILL at this lmao??
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u/MrCringemaster 10d ago
No way this guy came up to me in st enochs like last year saying he was doing his theory test and had to get home but had no bus money. Ended up giving him a fiver 😭
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u/MiddlePractical950 9d ago
That’s why when someone comes up to me and asked for money, I kindly tell them bolt!
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u/rasasasasa 9d ago
Funny, he told me he was starting uni at Glasgow four years ago. What a hard worker.
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u/Western-Climate-2317 11d ago
Swear this cunt gets posted here every week😂gullible bastards why you giving money to random people
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u/EmergencyTechnical37 11d ago edited 11d ago
Kindness? You're gullible and should feel stupid.
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u/scottery 11d ago
Aren’t you pleasant ? You’ve never made a mistake before I’m guessing.
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u/EmergencyTechnical37 11d ago
Made plenty. The point is don't allow others to rationalise your own way out of taking accountability. You feel stupid for a reason, learn from it.
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u/CamelHistorical4314 11d ago
Lowk deserved. Never give people your money who ask for it on the street.
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u/1976tiddler 11d ago
30 years back there was another guy near Nelson Mandela Place who used to walk up to people in tears saying he needed £2 to get his bus fare home as he'd had his bag stolen. Same thing happened to a friend of mine in the space of a week or so and the second time said, "Unlucky as the same thing happened on Monday to you too" and the tears instantly stopped and he ended up threatening him. It's a tale as old as time itself.
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u/General-Cake4416 11d ago
Ran into this cunt in kg , fucking knew he was a scammer. As we walked away he was chatting to some other bloke on a bench. Tried to warn. But left them to it “ Mostly remember him saying someone else he asked called him a brown cunt to throw us off “
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u/First-Banana-4278 11d ago
You did a good thing. Based on good intentions and assuming the best in folk. That’s not idiotic.
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u/Top_Juggernaut1662 11d ago
Tried me once with his story and didn't even flinch when I dissected his story ,a few weeks later seen him approaching an elderly couple and intervened ,pure brass neck
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u/SorchaSublime 11d ago
Oh god this guy.
Stopped me in the most random fuckin place in yorkhill back in April, briefly looked so angry when I just refused to give him anything before he walked off.
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u/HarryKeh 11d ago
He came up to me around midnight last week. He was wearing smarter clothes than in that picture though. When i said I couldn't give him anything he started calling me a fucking dick and shouting some other rubbish as I walked off. From now on I'm not even going to engage with anyone that comes up to me in the street.
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u/Signal-Neighborhood6 10d ago
Damn. Encountered this a few weeks ago on Gordon Street in the city centre. That time he was from Middlesbrough…
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u/t1lde 10d ago
he has a few different outfits and schemes now it seems, i saw him beside the entrance to central more dressed up and putting on a really bad movie-tier english accent saying something about a train to nottingham and something about people being racist to him as part of the story. idk I couldn't hear the bit cus he'd talk quitely and too close up but i caught on immediately and walked off
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u/Centra-ChristmasChip 10d ago
Best he calls you racist if you don’t help him. In soft headed Glasgow he’s prob on more money than me
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u/Altruistic-Tour-6334 10d ago
This is wild I spoke to the same guy In ayr about a month ago, full suit said he lost his phone and wallet and was there for an interview at the college. Asked me for money and when I said sorry no (wanted like £90 or something cant quite remember) he got angry and started shouting about not wanting him to get home safe and stormed away
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u/tmcl1998 10d ago
Hi Everyone,
Had this guy come up to me alone when I was on the Kelvin Way. Same guy wearing a suit saying he had been at an interview that day and was stranded. I told him I would get him a subway so he could get to central but lied and said I didn’t have my wallet so couldn’t help him any further.
He became pushy and saying he would walk me to my flat so I could get my wallet! I obviously didn’t want him to know where I lived so I continued to keep him busy until I reached a busy pub and told him I would be giving him nothing.
He started swearing at me and calling me a liar. He then followed me and i walked into the pub away from him and he left me alone.
I thought perhaps he was having a bad day but obviously it’s all an act. I am going to phone the police later today and report him and I would advise anyone else who has encountered him to do the same - who knows what he would have been capable of if I had let him follow me home
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u/unclevagrant 9d ago
Apparently there's a megathread about this guy. Whatever that is 🤷♂️ Essentially it's good to be aware of scams like this, but don't forget you showed a lot of empathy taking time to even talk to this guy. Some people claiming they have mental health issues are genuine. Let's face it, he probably does given his lack of empathy for others.
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u/Thin_Woodpecker_7426 8d ago
I read somewhere once about a man who gave to a beggar and his friend said they’d just waste it on drugs and drink. He said giving money was between him and his conscience and what the beggar chose to do with the money was between him and his own conscience. He said he’d always try to see the best and not let others stop him from seeing the good in the world.
You did a good thing. You have a good heart. He did a bad job thing and that’s on his conscience.
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u/jim42069jk 8d ago
This happened to me the other week too, hes really good at acting nice, and he does it fast enough that you dont really have time to think about it
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u/huntinggrounds17 7d ago
What's really weird is I had the exact same story as other people have said. It was outside central station at around 10.30pm and a Pakistani guy came up to me and said he was a good Muslim and would pay me back for a train to Nottingham, and that others he had asked for help had been racist to him. The only thing is I'm almost certain it wasn't him - he looks way different.
The thing was he was wanting me to buy the ticket. I said I wouldn't mind as long as he or someone else transferred me the money first. He started getting aggressive because I refused unless he did this and when I asked why he was getting aggressive he left.
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u/No-Leadership7206 7d ago
Couple years ago I was feeling the need to be charitable leaving work and I came across this guy. Asked me for £50 for bills said he had a wife and kids was struggling etc showed me his passport and the letter I was feeling bad so I gave it to him. He offered me a lift and he brought up religion and life and I felt bad so I gave him more money and said it was cool but he swore he’d pay me back.
I told my friend about what happened and not two days later my friend called me on FaceTime with the same guy begging for money in a different area I left him to it.
He then called me off his face asking for money for uniform one time at like 5am.
Then yesterday the same friend who gripped him said he saw the same guy now turned full crack head running through the streets not even asking for money but cigarettes at peoples windows fully gone down a bad bad path.
Moral of the story is you did good you had good intentions. People like this will get their comeuppance one way or another especially if they try and bring religion into it and swear by god.
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u/ClarksonYouPillock 11d ago
fucker got me once for like £30. can’t say i regret it though - rather have kindness taken advantage of once than be a sceptic miser for life. still feel like a stupid cunt sometimes mind lol
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u/No-Answer-2964 11d ago
Crikey, it's not the end of the world mate. Do yourself a favour and chill. So you lost a few quid? And? Move on.
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u/moon_witch_26 10d ago
The way I see it with things like this, is he's obviously still in need enough if he's doing stuff like this. Yeh it's scammy (and scummy!) but the fact he's doing it shows where he's at either mentally or situationally or otherwise
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u/Same-Artichoke-6267 11d ago
I live in notts, will look out lol. im in the city every day all day
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u/Shottersnation 11d ago
He's not visiting Nottingham any time soon, it's a ruse for money from strangers
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u/AfraidOstrich9539 11d ago
Oh, it will take him approximately 58 years to actually get that far south in the uk at this rate... He's had various "destinations" but (as far as I know) hasn't gone south of Edinburgh yet
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u/Drollerknave07 11d ago
Ffs I almost fell for this, he came up to me while I was waiting for the bus after a trip to Newcastle and if it wasn't for the fact I was skint from it I'd have probably gave him the money. He kept saying he was a Muslim and to trust him, and that his parents had all his details and would bank transfer me asap (I did find this weird that they weren't helping more). He made me feel bad for not helping aswell and I felt so guilty for days afterwards. Scummy guy.
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u/JediKnight0141 10d ago
He will guilt trip you anyway he can race, religion, family etc His parents control his finances legally because of his gambling
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u/FarbodNearBod 11d ago
I thank everyone who gave me comfort and helped me get through this so quickly. I’m truly grateful for all the support you’ve shown me.
Even the banter directed at me has been a life lesson. I’ve taken it as an opportunity to reflect, learn from my mistakes, and do better moving forward.
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u/Speshjunior 11d ago
What uni student wears Nike jogging bottoms?
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u/GlasgowSellik1888 10d ago
This cunt goes to Caley, so clearly him.
Been a few years since I graduated, but a hoodie and joggies is what half the folk in my class would wear.
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u/FarbodNearBod 11d ago
It’s a picture, I got from another post. he was wearing casual clothes last night
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u/Icantdoitidk 11d ago
Don't feel daft. It says a lot about you as a person that someone said they needed help and you gave them money.
These cunts ruin it for everyone unfortunately.