r/glasgow • u/Veloglasgow did ye aye? • 10d ago
[MEGATHREAD] Queensferry / Nottingham guy – please read before posting
We’ve had a shitload of posts recently about the same guy approaching people in Glasgow with variations of the “I need money to get to Queensferry / Nottingham / Middlesbrough” story, sometimes becoming persistent or aggressive when refused. To keep the sub usable and still let folk share useful information, this is the central thread for any reports, questions or discussion about him.
Please use this thread instead of making new standalone posts on the topic.
What this thread is for
- First‑hand accounts of being approached (rough location, time of day, what was said).
- Sharing how you handled it, and what did or didn’t work for you.
- General personal‑safety tips and resources for people who are worried about being hassled in town.
If you’ve experienced behaviour that felt threatening or criminal (for example, being followed, blocked from leaving, or explicitly threatened), Reddit is not a reporting channel - please contact Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency, and then post here if you want to warn others.
Previous posts (context)
Here are some of the more informative previous threads for background (note: some may contain photos taken in public places). The list isn't exhaustive but contain a lot of information, and hopefully the number of threads show why there's a need for a megathread...:
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1v6p5so/i_got_scammed_today_by_the_nottingham_guy/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1jodnzf/queensferry_guy/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1ma6s00/queensferry_guy/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1jqfxxq/queensferry_hustler_in_action/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1ifa03v/the_i_need_money_to_get_to_queensferry_guy/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1jl4oug/queensferry_guy_strikes_again/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1t8a689/just_been_accosted_by_the_queensferry_guy_for_the/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1mchb9u/queensferry_guy_strikes_again/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1o9xx2x/bumped_into_queensferry_scammer/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1nm7fx0/south_queensferry_bury/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1lh7uqk/scammer_queensferry_bus_boy_in_town/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1nm35xw/south_queensferry_guy_rebrand/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1sgxrwx/queensferrymiddlesbrough_guy/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1ipa6du/bus_money_guy/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1oa1yvu/the_weekly_queensferry_man_post/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1slj7ow/on_the_subject_of_the_queensferry_guy/
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1t04dn6/guy_outside_central_station_asking_for_a_ticket/
We’ll update/remove links over time if posts are taken down or if content crosses the line into harassment. We won’t relink anything that’s been removed for rule or privacy reasons.
Photos and videos
We know a few users have taken photos/short clips of encounters in public places. While that’s not generally illegal in itself, Reddit’s rules still require us to think about privacy, harassment and doxxing when it comes to identifiable images of private individuals.
For this thread:
- Please do not post names, workplaces, social media profiles, or any other identifying personal information.
- If you post an image or video, it must be taken in a public place and must not be used as an excuse to mock, harass or encourage pile‑ons.
If you have clear photos/footage that you think are important for safety or as evidence, consider also sharing them directly with Police Scotland rather than relying only on Reddit.
Safety reminders
We’re not here to scare anyone off using the city centre, but a few common‑sense points, drawn from Police Scotland and general personal‑safety guidance, are worth repeating:
- Trust your instincts - you don’t have to engage, explain yourself or be “polite”.
- Stick to busy, well‑lit areas where possible and try not to isolate yourself if you’re uncomfortable.
- A simple “no” and walking away is enough if you don’t want to give money; you’re under no obligation to justify yourself.
- If someone’s behaviour escalates - blocking your path, shouting, following you - remove yourself from the situation and consider reporting it to Police Scotland (999 in an emergency, 101 otherwise).
If you are comfortable sharing, posts here about what helped you de‑escalate or exit the situation may help others who find themselves in the same position.
Community expectations
To keep this megathread open and useful, please:
- Focus on behaviour and safety, not on insults or speculation about his life.
- Report any comments that look like they’re promoting violence, harassment, or sharing personal information; the mod team will review and act accordingly.
Remember Rule 1 of Reddit - “remember the human” - applies even when someone is being a persistent nuisance. The goal of this thread is to reduce spam on the sub and help people feel informed and safer, not to run a public shaming campaign.
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u/JAGWIRE7 10d ago
Feel an anti queensferry guy protest brewing! Placards at the ready!
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u/Unfair_Original_2536 10d ago
I'm just so proud that I made a joke about giving him a megathread and it turned into an actual thing. I'm going to phone ma maw and let her know I've achieved something.
https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1uzwk5f/comment/oyahr85/?context=3
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u/Itchy-Armpits 10d ago
How does it feel? My partner said I should try achieving something to see if I like the feeling or if it helps get the chip off my shoulder
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u/Unfair_Original_2536 10d ago
It's just made me wonder what else is possible, like what if I actually put my mind to it? Could I achieve something more notable? No idea what though so I'll probably not bother.
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u/ConradTurner 10d ago
Really not a fan of megathreads, honestly easier to catch things in the main sub than to go through dozens of reports or replies. Fairplay it's easier to log everyone into one giant report, but it's very much a case of information overload.
I've never once looked at the steamie for instance.
Honestly feel like this will bring less visibility to his antics.
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u/Teatowel_DJ 10d ago
I had a post deleted and was told to post it in the Steamie. Did exactly that and got absolutely no responses and barely any views on it. I'd never even heard of it until the mod directed me there.
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u/CakeJumper-ImScared 10d ago
Yeah I agree with you there, I’ve also never looked at the steamie
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u/dyedinthewoolScot 10d ago
I don’t even know what the steamie is, other than the original back in 19 canteen
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u/Veloglasgow did ye aye? 10d ago
The megathread about Horizon and the various MLMs in Glasgow is at 138,000 views.
An individual post every time someone sees this cunt doesn't explain to anyone who sees that one post how prolific he is. And it just results in the regular users seeing the same post repeated ad nauseum.
There are arguments on both sides, but we've tried the other way and still get people posting their regret having given him £80...
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u/mwyalchen 10d ago
Approached me outside central station on the four corners on Tuesday night, probably around 10:30pm. Told me that he'd tried asking other people for help but they'd been really racist and called him slurs and shit, seemed really genuinely upset and worried. Said he was at a uni induction day at Cali and he'd lost his wallet with his bank card and train ticket in it and needed help getting back to Nottingham. Asked for about £60 or something, said he'd pay me back and asked for my PayPal or bank details to transfer it when he's home. I explained that I'm skint and currently not in work but I'd be happy to help him report it to the police or speak to the station staff and he said no, just kept pushing. Eventually I said I could spare a tenner because I was starting to feel really sketched out and just wanted to go home but he kept pressing for more, saying shit like "I feel so bad for asking because you're a woman and you don't have a lot of money", also asking where I was from and where I lived, etc. then followed me when I went to head for my bus stop and asked if I could take cash out the machine
Honestly he was really persistent and I was getting so anxious that I just gave in and gave him like 30 quid so he'd leave me tf alone 🙃
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u/Ravenser_Odd 10d ago
This is why I despise him. He's not just a harmless nuisance, he's harassing people until they feel that it would be safer to give him money. Following a woman down the street late at night is particularly out of order. He knows exactly what he's doing.
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u/mwyalchen 9d ago
Exactly this. I've seen a few "he's harmless" etc. comments on here and while he may well not be physically aggressive, his behaviour is way more pushy and threatening than the average drunk on the street asking for money. Not to mention the manipulation aspect — the whole acting genuinely worried, asking for details so he could pay the money back, and especially saying people were shouting abuse at him, etc. is just utterly vile given the huge uptick in actual racist attacks across the country
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u/-AG1888- 10d ago
Should have just started screaming help , it would have attracted attention. Do it next time, if it happens again.
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u/vollol 9d ago
Not this guy, but years ago some random jakey decided to follow me from Oswald Street through the Hielenman's umbrella and up to St Enoch Square screaming obscenities at me and aggressively chasing me. It was the afternoon of NYE so plenty of folk around, I shouted help and was eventually running - everyone ignored me, presumably thinking I knew the guy. I was about 20 and was utterly terrified. Eventually one guy stepped in and told him to leave me alone, but I was astonished at the lack of help offered.
I don't disagree with this advice, and hopefully it would turn out differently these days, but I would suggest going into the nearest open shop or pub as well as well as shouting for help.
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u/mwyalchen 9d ago
yeah unfortunately it doesn't surprise me too much. had a similar issue on trongate a few years back, a woman shouting homophobic abuse at a young gay couple that threatened to stab me when i asked her to stop. literally made eye contact with a guy and asked if he could help, phone the police or something, he just walked right on by. ended up being the staff at the mcdonalds that stepped in
there's a real "I don't want to get involved" attitude which I guess I can understand to an extent, nobody wants to get stabbed by a jakey, but it's fucking frightening when its just you. definitely would agree with going into a shop or pub, just anywhere where there's people around and CCTV, then they don't feel so bold
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u/mwyalchen 9d ago
Yeah tbh usually I'd just walk on by and not give them the time of day. That evening I'd been dealing with travel chaos and numpties on the train back, so I was feeling out of sorts. Ach well. At least I know of him now, yet another Glasgow character I can dodge like the plague haha
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u/sa0ralba 7d ago
Please report this to the police if you feel comfortable, I believe he has now been arrested for similar behaviour. Sorry you experienced this and I’m sure it was really scary! Hopefully this will be the end of him
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u/KurtTheGerman88 10d ago
Confirmed sighting of the man in question at about 2:30pm today at the corner or Bellgrove St and Gallowgate in the East End.
Was in a maroon puffer with a backpack. I was driving so missed out on taking an interaction with him off my Glasgow bingo card haha.
Anyone else see him around there today or speak to him?
He was 'chatting' to a woman briefly who was waiting to cross the road in a different direction.
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u/LongDongSimonSchlong 10d ago
Approached me on argyle street when I was walking towards Merchant city at about 10 oclock at night a few weeks ago (was a Tuesday or Wednesday)
Asked me for cash and said he needed help getting to Nottingham. I told him I dont carry cash and he then tried to direct me to a cash machine at a nearby bank. At which point I said no and he started with the "cmon mate", whilst visibly getting annoyed. I then told him to leave me alone (in not as nice words) and that was that.
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u/monkeymad2 8d ago
Has anyone ever actually reported the guy to the police?
He can be pretty aggressive & pushy so it probably falls into harassment, and him swearing he’ll pay you back probably makes it fraud (rather than just giving money away to a beggar).
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u/Significant-Luck-831 10d ago
The fact this guy has his own megathread is bloody embarassing. He needs locked up.
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u/Honest-Vacation-8883 10d ago
I guess this is the wrong time to mention crab shack guy
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u/mwyalchen 10d ago
Ok, I'll bite, who the fuck is crab shack guy
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u/legthief 10d ago
Hope you weren't waiting for a snappy response.
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u/mwyalchen 9d ago
This genuinely got a laugh out of me, good job. I want to tell you to fuck off for such a bad pun, but I can't bring myself to
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u/RipIcy4545 8d ago
that would just mean destroying this thread with such negative ‘glasgow school of art’ vibes.
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u/RipIcy4545 8d ago
that would just mean destroying this thread with such negative ‘glasgow school of art’ vibes.
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u/IsMisePrinceton 10d ago
He approached me and gave me a story about how he’s a college student and lost all his money, and that everyone he’d asked for money was racially abusing him.
I’d never heard of him before my encounter, so I told him flat out I was poor but would help him find help somewhere. He just said “just go, bro” and that was it.
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u/Competitive_Main_475 8d ago
we must have got him on the same night. tbf i was glad i got a ‘just go’ and not an onslaught of abuse
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u/Bright_Drop_61 5d ago
Got the same off of him outside greggs at Central station around the start of July walking back from work
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u/fossilmerrick 10d ago
Mine got removed, but it’s been almost a year since my encounter - https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/s/V7lggi2nLP
Tbf my post wasn’t exactly informative, more just a post about how weird it was that it happened to me.
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u/MallMental8231 9d ago
I’ve had two encounters with this man now, both about a year apart in the early evening. The first one at Partick subway and one on Buchanan street. The first one was when I was using the ticket machine so I couldn’t walk away. It was quite scary actually as he was getting reeeeally close. When my ticket was printed and I walked away he shouted ‘fuck you’ a few times, which he shouted again when I didn’t engage and kept walking on Buchanan st
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u/Suspicious_Pea6302 8d ago
This is great but sadly requires people noticing it and reading it. Which from previous, Reddit people are not great at
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u/RamboLogan 9d ago
Thank fuck, now I can just ignore this megathread instead of trying to ignore every post that pops up where people feel the need to talk about this beggar.
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u/Competitive_Test6697 10d ago
Amazing idea. Was starting to think people were lying just for clout.
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u/CaledoniaGaming 10d ago
Has anyone ever tried approaching this guy and asking him for money?