On Thursday or Friday afternoon, I decided to fill up at SHEETZ (Rte 248) with unleaded 88. While doing so, I was approached by a middle-aged man. He told me, in broken English, that his wallet had either been lost or stolen, and this put him into a bind because he was on his way to Texas with his pregnant wife. He had no money and no cards. He asked if I could fill up his tank for him. Was this guy scamming me or telling the truth? Let me tell you what happened.
At first, I was certain it was a scam. He was in a frickin' Mercedes SUV, for one thing. That bothered the hell out of me, and I told him that. He did have temporary Texas plates, but I asked him why he or his pregnant wife could not call a family member and have the money wired. He answered that neither he nor his wife had any family in the US.
And why is that, I asked.
They're in Ukraine, he answered.
That hit me. I am currently reading the Red Famine, inm which Anne Applebaum tells the story of the Holodomor, in which Stalin actually starved between 3-5 million Ukranians in 1932-3. He was fearful of their independent streak Not only did he send party apparatchicks to remove all their food, but blocked the roads so they were unable to flee. He, like Putin, had little regard for their lives.
I filled up the guy's tank.
Then he asked me for a little money for food. His wife gave me a gold chain and said I could have it if I could give them a little money.
I am a person of limited means, and I told him he could try the pawn shop just two miles away in Nazareth to get some money. He told me it was closed. I did not really believe him and said the gas was as far as I was willing to go.
He understood and actually bowed to me.
I left and drove to the Aldi, which is right next to the pawn shop. I noticed that the pawn shop was indeed closed. He was telling the truth. I considered going back to help the guy, but figured he'd be gone.
Several people tell me the guy was a scammer, but I think I just failed the Good Samaritan test. I felt badly about it all weekend.
I've learned this weekend that Texas is resettling 12,000 Ukranian refugees.
25 comments:
scammmed. you are too emotional. always have been.
Why do you say that you failed the Good Samaritan test? You did more than most and showed your compassion. In the same situation, I don’t know that I would have done the same.
You're a better Good Samaritan than I am.
Years ago I was approached at a gas station in Easton by a man who claimed he had been robbed. Needed gas and money for food. I bought him a couple of burgers.
I didn't think much about his station wagon loaded with clothing and other items including a wheelchair, other than he might have been homeless.
A week later, I saw him in Bethlehem, sitting in that wheelchair, panhandling with a cup and placard claiming to be a veteran.
I believe you were scammed. Doubt the "gold chain" was worth more than a buck. I guess they didn't have any money left to purchase a phone, after buying that SUV, to call a friend?
Wow , this guy had it all, pregnant wife, family suffering in Ukraine, no family. He is a very astute observer of American news and the american psyche.
Many Americans are still Naive to the ways of the world, after all, they are subjected to bullshit every day and just keep sucking it up. Of course they can deny it, in a spirit of compassion.
More stories like this one!!
In the past I worked in a field that brought me in contact with people with social and mental health problems and often unknown to me. Sometimes I loaned them money that might not be paid back. The boss told me that could place me in an untenable position with them. I responded that I would rather be placed in an untenable position with them than with my God. I never gave more than I could afford. If in indeed you someday meet your Maker, I think this will earn you a well done rather than a sad look.
You were a good Samaritan. You filled up his car with gas. But, yes, you most likely were scammed.
Almost every time I take a long distance vacation with my family and we pull into a rest area to get gas and go to the bathroom, either my wife or me is stopped by someone with a similar plight as you describe above. The Ukraine angle, though, is a new twist.
Guys our age will get scammed occasionally. Here's what happened to me. This beautiful young girl came to my front door and asked if she could step inside. She was wearing a very tight, low cut top, which showed her ample well-developed chest. She said she needed money to help her sick mother pay for food. She started humming a tune and before I could stop her she hugged me and started to dance with me pushing her chest into mine. I have to admit it was really stimulating and felt good. She left immediately after and I soon realized she had lifted my wallet. Several days later she returned with the same story. Whatever you do, do not let this gorgeous young lady with the overdeveloped chest into your house. It's all a scam. She scammed me four times already.
You were also scammed Bernie.
You did the right thing Bernie. Kilgore Trout would be proud.
SEAN-O
I think it was a scam - had the same thing happen to me a few months back, but without the Ukrainian angle (a good scam does have some decent heart tugging threads woven in).
That is really BOLD from anyone to ask for a complete fill up an entire tank of gas, and why at the Sheetz on 248 if heading to Texas? Wouldn't the Wawa off 33 or one of the stations near 25th St & Route 22 be a better option?
He wasn't making the trip to Texas on one tank either. So his plan was to pull the same act, 400 miles down the road?
I would have suggested trading in the Mercedes for something more modest and using the difference to fund the rest of the trip.
I hate myself for being so cynical, but no way would I trust that guys story.
Unfortunately I think you were scammed. The fact that he came after you for more $$ is a hallmark of scammer tactics. In my business I see it time/time again.
The Banker
I had sex with my neighbors wife the other day as she hadn't been screwed in 5 years so at least you got screwed and will never see them again.
It is so hard to tell today. There are grifters and con artists at all levels of society. Some of the biggest ones are the most affluent because they know how to steal the most.
Mercedes are a car of familiarity for many in Europe. It is a comfort. I have seen many immigrants get one. I guess kind of a remembrance of home.
As far as this guy and his wife it is hard to say if you will ever know. Many scammers play it all the way and set the stage very well. The Texas temp tag might have been real or it might have been a phony. I would lean toward phony. They could have been, they might not have been. The biggest red flag that I see is the gold chain, IF they truly escaped Ukraine with nothing how and why did they have the chain still. You think that would have been something they would have had to hock to get the car.
My guess is that you got scammed and if you watch around you will see that same SUV again and again.
There are those that really do need help but many of them are the smallest part who ask.
Don't feel bad. You filled his tank which probably cost you at least $100. If they are driving to Texas, he'll need to fill up another six or seven times, at least. So, if they are being earnest, they'll need to convince another six or seven people to fill up for them. With a long drive, they'll need to eat so that's another pitch they've got to work on.
He's not going to siphon out the gasoline and re-sell it. If you were scammed, at least you know he can't taint your generosity because all he can do is drive until the tank is empty again.
UI rejected a comment that tried to make this political.
I think I failed the Good Samaritan test. A Good Samaritan would have given this guy some food.
I actually hope I was scammed. If this guy was being truthful, I let him and his pregnant wife go hungry. As a recent refugee, I doubt he has friends, as one person suggested. If the gold chain was worthless, as someone else suggested, why did he try to pawn it?
What I should have done is ask to see the wife's ID. I never thought of that, but someone suggested this to me after the fact.
The ‘distressed stranger’ is one of the most common scams. Most likely was a scam but my advice to you is to not feel bad about it either way. If it was a scam, all they got was a tank of gas. Hopefully you did not pay with your credit card, bc that could have been skimmed. If it wasn’t a scam, then you helped a couple out who is in need.
Best thing to do in that circumstance is to refer the individual to a Lehigh Valley Ukrainian church. They will verify and have the financial resources to assist.
Bernie he is a slightly different way of thinking about it.
Did it make you feel good to help? Did you feel like you were doing good while you did it? Well if the answer is YES to both of those then it does not really matter whether they were scammers or not. The cost of a tank of gas is less then you probably pay for a good dinner, tire for your bike or any other things for your riding pleasure.
So in the grand scheme of things if it made you feel good while you were doing it, it cost you less then many of the other things you do to feel good. . Check it up to what seemed like a good thing and move on.
Would a - should a and could of always are the destruction of the best intentions.
probably not a scam. my son-in-law's family is Ukrainian; his sister-in-law and her kids went to Germany via Poland to escape the russian invasion. the Ukrainian refugees are on their own, and his explanation seems plausible, like someone else said, he can't resell the gas. I work in Allentown and when people are begging for money i offer to buy them food instead, and most of them refuse b/c they really want the money for drugs/alcohol. Regardless, I think you did the right thing and a good deed.
You were scammed. That exact couple used to beg for money at the intersection where Wegmans and McDonalds is until they were run out by the Colonial Regional police.
I witnessed them booted out of that location and drive away in the vehicle you describe.
Colonial Regional should be familiar with them if you want to file a complaint.
Bernie where did you hear Texas wants Ukrainian Immigrants. They want no immigrants whatsoever from anywhere. The news is making it sound all nice but they will be whining, bitching, and complain quickly. There must be some behind the scenes deal as they are pushing bus loads out at the same time they are so graciously open warm heartily accepting others. (Sarcasm in the last 6 or so words).
Scammed or not, you are a better man than me.
You got a good heart Bernie, but I think you got burned.
Actually, I feel pretty bad bc I think I should have got this guy and his wife a meal. If I was scammed, no worries. But if he was being honest, I let a pregnant woman go hungry.
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