Should I have helped Canadian stuck in Paris?

[lightbulb27]

Man approached me near the Arc d' Triumph, said everything of his and wife was stolen, filed a police report but they didn't help. said had gone to Canadian embassy... now closed for weekend. Was asking for euros for train ride back to his hotel.

Said he works for Goldman sachs and wife and daughter were there at train station.

Possibly a legit issue... but there's lot of scammers around Paris.

Ran it by my family and we did not help, should I have? I can think of other questions to ask.

If I were him, I'd hop a train and pay the fine.

Updates

11 mo

other locals I talked to suspect it was a fraud as they encountered as well. he has a good schpeel... probably gets a few...

[Nik1hil]

Straight up lie,..

If he has a Wife and Kids, he definitely has In-Laws and parents..

They could just book a ticket for him online and send it to you get him a Printed copy of it!..

Never give them cash, I Learned the Hard way.

Just say, "Figure out a way, where you don't take cash from me and tell me, I will help."

[lightbulb27]

exactly right, don't give cash. I could have offered to buy ticket but we bailed before that.
I was thinking... have relatives wire me money, I'll keep $50 of it and give the rest to him:) do it at police station.

[Nik1hil]

Exactly, Never pay for their Ticket.. and if you have to do it in coordination with Police..

In India people are helpful like this, and have ended up helping Terrorists travel for Free from Border States to across India to do their dirty tasks..

Later they were charged with Being accomplices.. they said they were being helpful..

[lightbulb27]

a concern of mine as well, you never know...

[AviatorTom]

You were good to be suspicious and cautious. There are too many scammers out there.

If he legitimately has a hotel, he could have taken a taxi back to the hotel and talked with reception, who could have charged the taxi to his room... I'm sure they already had his credit card on file.

[lightbulb27]

no $ he was asking for $ for train
My thought is.. I'd take the train and take the fine...
some of the logistics didn't make sense but said he'd gone to the embassy, but didn't say how that went if got in.
it's odd, he didn't do a good job representing his position... not enough.

[AviatorTom]

@lightbulb27 He was asking for money because that's the easiest thing a person might give him... without thinking about it. I bet if you had offered to go to the train with him and buy him a ticket, he would have declined.

[lightbulb27]

That is what I wonder about... I'm more prepared next time, thanks.

[AI Opinion]

Your caution is understandable, especially in a place known for scams. While it's possible his story was genuine, helping strangers with money involves risks. You made a reasonable decision by consulting your family and considering the situation carefully. One alternative could be to offer non-monetary help, like directing him to local authorities or shelters that assist tourists in distress. Prioritizing safety and verifying information is always wise.

[WindAtMyBack]

I can't even count how many times I've run into variations of this type of scam. The streets are full of people like this.

They got robbed and need money to get home.
They have a good job and lost their wallet, so they need money for gas.
The gas station won't accept their credit card for some reason, so they need money for gas.

Don't believe a word of it. And don't let them get too close or YOU will be the one who got pick-pocketed and be without money. Or if you do give them money, now they know where your wallet is, and so will their accomplice.

[lightbulb27]

you've experienced... that's reassuring. Very odd he spoke clear English.

[Lliam]

Yeah. I would have been suspicious and had questions. How did "everything" get stolen? How did he get where he was, so far from his wife? How much does a train ride to his destination cost? Does he have ID? Doesn't he have a phone to call the hotel, his wife, Goldman Sachs?

In reality, I probably wouldn't have spent much time talking to a stranger. I might have just said "Sorry, I don't have any cash" and moved on.

[lightbulb27]

yes, I did same. Asked some questions, he did answer well... basically, has nothing, all stolen. I should have asked more questions because it leaves me wondering if he was legit. I would think GS person would be more saavy.
it struck me as odd a person that spoke like an American would stand out there and scam, which makes me think now he's legit. it doesn't make sense. I read as well people getting things stolen in Paris happens frequent. Once lose all money, cards and phone... screwed.

[Anonymous]

There's always someone scamming a situation, unfortunately it affects the legitimate cases. In this instance I think you were smart to avoid it completely.

[lightbulb27]

exactly! It makes me question others that might be suffering. thank you.

[Anonymous]

[lightbulb27]

how k now for sure, I've lost most everything on a trip before and I see others online posting same.

[Anonymous]

If he works for Goldman Sachs, he has some means of accessing his money. He wouldn’t stand around begging strangers for euros.

[BadApple69]

No scammer. I wouldn’t help either.