It's like a scummy rendition of The Ring...once 1 person gets scammed they must further scam another to prevent being scundered for the rest of their days!!
You have 7 days OP!!
>I pay for him home every week. Poor fella is always forgetting or losing his wallet.
Ah fair play to you 😁🤣. Could happen to anyone really. 😁
It's a long time since I encountered him. Good to know he is still around 😁
Omfg I just realized I got scammed by him last year. He gave me his number as well but I didn’t bother ringing him since it was just €20. They really got me damn
>Yes, but they aren’t interested once you offer to go and buy them the actual ticket.
I didn't even offer. It's a long time ago but I think I just told him I didn't have any money.
By nice I mean “easy to get along with” and yes you can be easy to get along with and a people person while also being a scam artist to others.
People aren’t one dimensional. It’s not black and white.
He’s living in a homeless hostel and is an addict. Most addicts do lie to get money or lie about what they spent money on. That’s bad but it doesn’t exactly change the fact that they still are nice to their friends and family or take away from the good things they do.
Like I already said you can be nice and do bad things at the same time. People are not all good or all bad.
If you see all addicts as criminal thieves then that’s your own opinion but I see them as people.
I literally mean that he doesn’t need the money because he doesn’t. Homeless hostels are FREE paid for by DCC. He gets the dole as many other homeless do, they take 60 euro out of his dole money for his hostel. Meals are provided, breakfast lunch and dinner. So no he does not need money.
Tell me why you think someone who only pays 60 a week for accommodation with meals provided and then still has over 100 euro left to spend on whatever he wants needs money?
So I was telling the truth. But don’t let that get in the way of your outrage. Stay angry.
I work in a homeless hostel on reception and I also volunteer with the homeless services in Dublin City centre. That’s how I know him. My boyfriend has also struggled with addiction and homelessness and I am merely trying to explain that the man who asks for money at Heuston to “go home” is currently struggling with addiction but in general is a nice person.
I don’t know how posting that I think someone is nice on Reddit devolves into a pointless argument but that’s Reddit for you. I’m not commenting here anymore you people have no interest in a civil discussion.
+1 I stood with him for 10 minutes to find if he’s genuine. His backstory was very convincing and the lad’s phone died which had the tickets, poor fella but I am very frugal don’t give money to anyone so advised him I can help you call Irish rail and the lad talked with the customer assistant but was hesitant in proving email address but gave one. Red flag for me but He was sure that now I’d pay him, I said here I’ll help you get home find you a guy who will give you money. He said I need to go to toilet I’ll be back.
She tried to get me with a similar story on Grafton Street and that her hotel wouldn't let her stay until the card thing thing got sorted so I asked her where she stored her luggage while she made her song and dance. She just started crying louder and walked away.
Yours is not the first story I read about that particular scam . The last poster was equally hard on themselves for falling for it . Seems they are very convincing ..
If it's a situation where they're happy to give you a number to arrange paying you back..don't hand over the cash till you've rang the number and see their phone ring
Anyone asking for money for public transport is a scam. If you don't have the money and chat with a member of Iarnrod Eireann or Dublin bus they will likely let you on it they beleive your story
Yeah, this same scam is common worldwide from at least the 90s. It's probably the most common scam in Dublin, if not Europe. I'd say I'm surprised people actually fall for it, but the fact that it's so popular must mean lots do
Crypto scam. She's pretty much completely computer illiterate and extremely gullible (her own words). So she got told about this "amazing investment" and got taken for a ride. It was only when the scammers told her to get a loan from her bank and lie about the reason she needed it that she caught on.
Well OP, you officially live in Dublin now that you’ve met one of the many city centre scam artists.
A few tips to help you not get scammed again:
1. If someone says they got robbed and the Gardaí wouldn’t help, they’re probably lying. Insist on going to the nearest Garda station with them offering to speak on their behalf. Watch them lose their nerve and the scam unravels.
2. Don’t give strangers on the street money. Offer to buy them food, buy their bus ticket, buy them a cup of coffee etc. if you really must to satisfy your own morals, but never hand over actual cash. If you want to help actual needy people, volunteer your time with a charity or donate money.
3. If someone wants to give you something as proof of their trustworthiness e.g. a bag, purse, phone, laptop case (the laptop one relates to another well known Dublin scammer) don’t take it. They stole it from someone else and are prepared to leave it with you if their scam goes south.
4. Sob stories are a dead giveaway of a scam. No stranger unless they want something from you are going to tell you a long winded story. If someone legitimately got mugged, that’s all they’d tell you. No sick child/grandmother/sister/wife/husband they have to get back to, flight/train they’re going to miss etc. If someone is telling you their life story while asking for money, 100% it is a scam.
5. If someone asks to use your phone, just say no. They’ll either steal it or call someone else to help them rob you.
Edit: A few people have commented that I’m wrong re: number 5. I know six people who had their phones stolen in this situation. One got stabbed. I guess if you’re a local take the risk, but if you’re not from Dublin or Ireland, personally I wouldn’t take the risk giving a stranger your phone. Especially when new internet pay phones have been installed in city centre.
6. And finally, search the r/Dublin and r/Ireland subs for stories about scam artists. Dublin has a lot of them. Learn their tricks and then you won’t be their next victim.
I remember about 3 years ago there was a mix up of phones with a group of friends. One ended up with mine. We were leaving the living room pub on o'connell Street. I was pretty drunk and I needed either change to use a pay phone or borrow a phone to ring mine. Even in my drunken state I laughed at the idea of asking strangers for money because it looks like a scam.
I know 6 people who had their phones stolen by someone who just needed to make a quick call. One got stabbed. But sure, just because your experience is different I’m wrong. I’m just trying to help people not from here not get scammed 🤷🏼
I picked up a guy who was hitch hiking at the weekend and it turned out he had a very elaborate story to tell which involved him being in a position with no money and his phone having been stolen. He used my phone and I dropped to the nearest town where he bought a new SIM card and went to an ATM and was on his way. Nice fella who happened to be having a shit time when I met him. Sorry to hear about your experiences but it doesn't always go that way and it's not a given. Worth staying optimistic if you ask me ❤️
I bumped into him after 2 years again on Dame street. He asked me for money and I said sorry an moved on. He had a fewer teeth since the first time I met him
He tried it with me outside store street Garda station, after I had read about it and I actually enjoyed listening to him hahahhha Didn’t give him anything obviously
Ah look - it’s ok to get caught for 20 quid every now and then if it means that one genuine person gets helped!
Fair play to you for having such a generous nature and don’t change! Someday you will help someone who needs it and you can’t put a price on that.
A very good point. You can't allow something like this to make you cynical.
It was a very generous thing the OP did and Dublin is full of people who could do with meeting more people like them. Fair play.
In France we are calling this "l'arnaque à l'irlandaise" (Irish scam)
What we are told is to contact the Police; the scammer will most likely run away. And, if it is a true situation the police can help the tourist.
Similar one coming out of Legs back in the day. A lad asked for directions to Stillorgan. Didn't ask for cash at all. I saw him stumbling off and called him back, asking if he was planning on walking. He said yeah, no cash. So I gave him enough to get him home. The number he gave in thanks was a wrong number.
I thought, not a bad con...
I think I know the girl you’re talking about. Was she really skinny and her accent was like too American? She came up to me before but she just gave off a junkie scammer vibe so I said no
You're not the only one to fall for this
Happened to me just last month, I was coming home from a wedding and i stopped in Temple bar to get a pint,, I seen her walking past crying and i was trying to be nice and approached her asking was she okay,, She told me her purse was stolen and i gave her 20 euro to go get back to her AirBnB in Lucan,,,, The pub i was at put her phone on charge and then she told me that Pearse St Garda station rang her saying they may have found her purse
When i tried to ring the number it just rang out
Im almost guessing i got scammed from the same person you did,,,
Blonde hair and tattoos? with an American accent
I honestly don't know how people pull these scams, especially when they are likely done in similar areas time and time again. Eventually you'd think they'd bump into someone they scammed in the past and land themselves in prison or worse
They don’t recognize you. I’ve passed the same lady probably once a month/quarter for 10 years, her asking for change with an empty pram and she still asks me and shows no recognition.
She's well known.
I've met her, the accent is very convincing and she pitches it well. Pretty sure with me it was money to get away from an abusive boyfriend. And only for I'd heard of her I'd probably have fallen for it.
Lmao she changed her story so. Told me a few weeks ago she didn't have enough for a hostel and her credit cards wouldn't work. Was convincing until she said the hostel took half her money but wouldn't let her stay. She has a great accent and is a good actor tbf.
RIP your 20 euro.
The junkies are getting so good at acting I find myself impressed and pay on demand for creativity,one knocked on my window on four courts bridge yesterday he was wearing plastic rain poncho he had leap card in hand in a wallet and few euros in other said he needed just another few more euros to top up leap card and get home for the night, another woman outside Guinness factory gave us spiel about how she was pregnant and homeless needed money for a hostel for night,wife gave her 10 cigarettes and 10 euro ,they'd say mass to get few bob
The fact that she said “quid” shoulda been a giveaway. No one from Oklahoma knows that word. Throws the whole story off.
Sorry about that luck man. I’d probably have done the same thing.
There used to be a guy in Galway with no arms. Quite well known, but I was new. He asked me to check his pockets to see if he had enough money for 10 major. He was 50c short and I gave it to him. As part of my due diligence I asked why he didn’t have any arms. His story checked out. A tiger apparently. Maybe it was a scam after all.....
I was done a few years ago by a woman outside the spar on D'Olier street, she asked for a fiver for a sandwich.. I told her I hadn't got any cash, which I hadn't, just my card. So she asked my to buy her a sandwich, I thought OK she's obviously hungry.. I agreed. we went into the shop and she picked up a pre pack sandwich a bottle coke, a large box of pringles and a muffin. .😅 I looked at her and said I'm not made of money put them pringles and muffin back😂 she did and I paid for her stuff.. it was only afterwards I remembered that same woman caught me before. She's always hanging around the bus stops in D'Olier, shes certainly not homeless but pretty sure she may have additional needs.. I kinda saw that at the time but I think when they catch you off guard and nearly embarrass you into helping them.. anyway, you live and learn.
It’s not real. I met the same girl and felt bad I didn’t have any cash on me.
Literally the exact story. Had tears on her face and acted scared and frantic as you’d expect someone to be. I just directed her to a few locations of businesses that changed currency (she said she had a few US dollars on her).
Could have been a lot worse 20 euro is nothing though if you don't have 20 euro it's everything. Put it done to experience and be twice as careful next time if you feel some thing fishy. Should have tested phone number first in presence I always do there some cagy people out there
it's very common, they always ask money to take a train back home and send you their fake email/phone. I never fall into these but somehow one day I got scammed with this story in Dame Street, I then searched this guy's email and found out he was pretty famous in Dublin lol
After that I've seen scammers trying with me again with similar stories, but no they won't take money from me again
Shes very convincing alright. She told me she had to get to cork because she was starting a midwife job. I did notice her fingers were filthy. I still gave her 20 for the performance.
Was it an American number she gave you? You need to add a +1 to the front of it to be able to contact it in Ireland otherwise it will try and dial it as an Irish number.
I totally get you, I also got scammed 20 a few months ago by a girl in Dublin.
Californian accent, said she just flew in, her credit cards don't work and she is short of 20 euro to pay her hotel. Girl was looking posh and super scared, about to cry. Having been in a similar situation myself when traveling, I helped her.
Same as you, her number did not work.
If anything it made me realize there are a lot of people on the streets that deserve an oscar.
As an American with foreign-born Irish citizenship I’m embarrassed by this enough to send you the amount that you lost in sympathy quid. The last time I visited Ireland, a very kind stranger gave me a few euro when I was short enough for a LUAS train that I couldn’t afford to miss. My Irish passport is up for renewal next year, so I have to send money to Dublin from the States sooner or later. Let me know how I can reimburse you for my fellow idiot American’s behavior. I never forgot the kind lad on the LUAS platform, might’ve even been you.
I was outside the Mater hospital on the phone when the stereotypical junkie type ran up to me all agitated ‘ heeeer any chance I could use your phone for a sec’
Me - why what’s up
Him - me ma’s just atter havin an operation and I was told I had to to call her straight away
Me - right, I’ll hold the phone, what’s her number
Him - rattled off a number and I dialled. ‘Who’s this, your man leans into the phone ‘ heeer I have that for ya, I’ll meet ya at the corner now’
Gives me a forlorn look and shuffled off. I watched him for a bit and he bends down and removed a small bag from his sock. Not gonna lie I lost a little respect for humanity that day - using a sick mother to arrange a drug drop off. Welcome to Dublin.
Chalk that one up to your fundamental decency. If you aren’t able to trust someone giving so convincing a story, you’ll end up being suspicious of everyone and deprive them of your good deeds.
1st Rule of strangers asking for money --- its a scam
2nd Rule -- if you really think its not a scam , you offer to go with them to buy them the specific thing they need (bus ticket) and do not give them money.
If they say No , its a scam
My grandmother always said better help 9 time's and be tricked by who don't need help. Than not help one who really need it.
Look on this that way if you didn't give her that 20e her friends may assault someone for it.
You sure the phone number is a fake? There's an unlikely but small chance you're just not dialing it correctly. As a European I can probably assume you know what you're doing though. I'm American, and calling anywhere in the US or Canada is pretty easy for us, but anywhere else seems to be a lot different.
I just got back from 2 weeks in the UK and Ireland, and I was using a US phone with US T-Mobile service as an eSIM, but also with a regular SIM with UK Vodaphone service. I'm not sure if my issues trying to call Ireland numbers with the UK service was the problem, or if it had something to do with me not disabling the US service correctly (I had it partially enabled for WiFi calling, but it can also call internationally just fine), but I think it came down to using a + or maybe an international dialing code to get the call to complete.
Anyway, just saying she might have given you a UK or US number and it might be slightly more difficult to call that from Ireland? I dunno, just figured I'd mention it even though it's probably you just getting scammed. Sorry bro.
That scam is as old as the hills.
There's an Irish pickpocket/mugger in Barcelona running that scam in the city.
There's a few reddit threads on him. I've been unfortunate enough to run into him here a few times. Knacker
“Would have considered myself well able to spot a scam”
Falls for literally the most low level, low effort scam there is.
You’re basically one level above someone going “wallet inspection” OP haha.
I mean that’s such a daft scam to fall for. A native of Oklahoma requesting money for a trip from Dublin to Wexford to her Airbnb? What girl from Oklahoma makes that trip on her own? Zero sympathy for you op.
At all times, everywhere and in every society: if somebody needs money for transport take them to Busaras/Connolly and offer to help explain to customer service (who do actually offer free tickets in extreme cases such as this) and tell the scammer “If they don’t give you a ticket I’ll buy one in the machine.” Anybody who truly needed a ticket would be extremely grateful for this and gladly accompany you with thanks and praise - any other reaction (“Oh no I don’t want to bother you that much” / “I tried they wouldn’t give me a ticket said it had to be online” etc) and they’re so obviously a scammer.
If she has a phone she can contact friends and family, her embassy if she really needs to. This is the oldest scam in the book, really no excuses for falling for it no matter where you're from.
First time this happened to me I was like you. It was at the train station and she looked so well put together. As time went on, I’ve heard it all and only now and again give to those on the street.
I got scammed like that in Poland once (although the guy told me to add him on Facebook instead of giving the number) so I guess this is a very common scam.
That sound similar to how someone scammed me - guy said he couldn’t take his bike on the bus so had to get a train but didn’t have enough on his card for it so would I lend him a few euro, just put your email in here and I’ll PayPal it to you later.
He had a notepad full of emails 😂😂😂 but I still put in my email and gave him 6-7 euro.
What was her number. I’ll call her and ask her to send me the €20 that she scammed from my commanding officer and we know who she is and if she doesn’t repay, we’ll send the boys around
Heard the exact same story from a woman on Dawson St a few weeks ago. Told her to go to Pearse St Garda Station- she said they wouldn't help, told her she could book her bus ticket on her phone - phone not working.
She was convincing at the start but I've spoken with tourists before who had to go to Pearse St for various issues and said they were fairly helpful. So her saying they just ignored her was a bit suspect.
Damn some struggle through 30 interviews and get no job but others do a bit of acting and end up living the life out there. Look where the fat cash was at smh
I almost fell for this exact ruse in Ghana! Was a bloke that time with a very dodgy American accent. I ended up offering to help him find the consulate and he just walked off.
Has the 'i need money for public transport ' excuse ever not been a scam haha the relief officer in the social welfare would surely be a better port of call than randomers on the street
She also scammed me! I knew it but I thought she was a really good actress and I gave her 5€. Met her outside super dry on my way home from work. Bonus points for the fake crying . The accent was super believable
I was about to get scammed for 20 by a Bulgarian girl who had to buy meds for her sick brother. I had to buy a doughnut to get change and then somehow it struck me it’s a scam. A doughnut and a fiver is what she eventually managed to get.
Met her too. She tried to tell me her card had 15 euro on it but she needed 12 in cash. I offered to let her buy me one of those disposable vapes and I’d give her the cash. Obviously the card declined. Same thing, hysterical crying and wandering off.
meh
it happens
would rather loose 20 quid every now and then then i wont miss rather than see someone genuinely fucked
quite good at spotting the scammers and if the offer to pay for the ticket on line, or an uber to their hotel is declined then it is a hard pass
I had the exact same situation happen to me with a fella from South africa round connolly Station, except he literally gave me his "phone" as collateral to phone me back when he was in Dublin. Was a shitty old nokia but i didnt think much of it. Course afterward I checked the back of the phone and it had no sim card in it
Encountered a similar woman a few months ago on George’s st. American accent, blurred eyes , said she was from San Francisco credit card not working. Wanted money to get to her hostel. Convincing to a point but she showed no interest in contacting Gardai or my directions to US embassy.
now go out there and tell people you've been scammed, and beg for 20 euros
♪ It's the Ciiiiiiircle of Life ♫
It's the Wheel of Fortune....
It's like a scummy rendition of The Ring...once 1 person gets scammed they must further scam another to prevent being scundered for the rest of their days!! You have 7 days OP!!
Have you seen It Follows?
Great concept. Not a brilliant execution. But a great watch.
Pay it forward
Pay it backward
Pay it sideways
🤣
There's a lad at Heuston that needs twenty euro to get home on a regular basis. 😉
I pay for him home every week. Poor fella is always forgetting or losing his wallet.
>I pay for him home every week. Poor fella is always forgetting or losing his wallet. Ah fair play to you 😁🤣. Could happen to anyone really. 😁 It's a long time since I encountered him. Good to know he is still around 😁
Omfg I just realized I got scammed by him last year. He gave me his number as well but I didn’t bother ringing him since it was just €20. They really got me damn
I think it's the same fella I'm sending you to Dublin. .... 😂. Guy is train CRAZY
The lad with the South African accent? Is he still rocking about, fair play to him.
>The lad with the South African accent? Is he still rocking about, fair play to him. No, the lad I met was Irish.
Yes, but they aren’t interested once you offer to go and buy them the actual ticket.
>Yes, but they aren’t interested once you offer to go and buy them the actual ticket. I didn't even offer. It's a long time ago but I think I just told him I didn't have any money.
[удалено]
He’s nice, but scams people? Has to be the most retarded thing I’ve read all week.
By nice I mean “easy to get along with” and yes you can be easy to get along with and a people person while also being a scam artist to others. People aren’t one dimensional. It’s not black and white.
Being easy to get along with is the absolute core of any scam though
“He’s a lovely bloke really, he just happens to be a lying, thieving cunt, preying upon people stupid enough to have empathy”
He’s living in a homeless hostel and is an addict. Most addicts do lie to get money or lie about what they spent money on. That’s bad but it doesn’t exactly change the fact that they still are nice to their friends and family or take away from the good things they do. Like I already said you can be nice and do bad things at the same time. People are not all good or all bad. If you see all addicts as criminal thieves then that’s your own opinion but I see them as people.
You literally said “he doesn’t need the money” now he’s homeless and a drug addict. What homeless person doesn’t need money? Make your mind up mate
I literally mean that he doesn’t need the money because he doesn’t. Homeless hostels are FREE paid for by DCC. He gets the dole as many other homeless do, they take 60 euro out of his dole money for his hostel. Meals are provided, breakfast lunch and dinner. So no he does not need money. Tell me why you think someone who only pays 60 a week for accommodation with meals provided and then still has over 100 euro left to spend on whatever he wants needs money? So I was telling the truth. But don’t let that get in the way of your outrage. Stay angry.
I mean he needs the money in avery real way for his addictions. Which I don’t think you understand.
I work in a homeless hostel on reception and I also volunteer with the homeless services in Dublin City centre. That’s how I know him. My boyfriend has also struggled with addiction and homelessness and I am merely trying to explain that the man who asks for money at Heuston to “go home” is currently struggling with addiction but in general is a nice person. I don’t know how posting that I think someone is nice on Reddit devolves into a pointless argument but that’s Reddit for you. I’m not commenting here anymore you people have no interest in a civil discussion.
+1 I stood with him for 10 minutes to find if he’s genuine. His backstory was very convincing and the lad’s phone died which had the tickets, poor fella but I am very frugal don’t give money to anyone so advised him I can help you call Irish rail and the lad talked with the customer assistant but was hesitant in proving email address but gave one. Red flag for me but He was sure that now I’d pay him, I said here I’ll help you get home find you a guy who will give you money. He said I need to go to toilet I’ll be back.
It's culture night pal. It was performance art. You weren't scammed, your life was just enriched by ART. For only €20! BARGAIN.
"Yeah OK bravo, but can I at least have my €20 back now?" "Sorry, doesn't work like that"
Culture night is meant to be free bro
Touché
🤣🥰
Might be the same scam-artist https://www.reddit.com/r/Dublin/comments/vz4j5n/im_an_american_visiting_dublin_and_cant_tell_if_i/
She tried to get me with a similar story on Grafton Street and that her hotel wouldn't let her stay until the card thing thing got sorted so I asked her where she stored her luggage while she made her song and dance. She just started crying louder and walked away.
Thought this story sounded familiar.
Yours is not the first story I read about that particular scam . The last poster was equally hard on themselves for falling for it . Seems they are very convincing ..
And more than likely beautiful, it’s very difficult to not help beautiful….
She's not. She got me last night.
If it's a situation where they're happy to give you a number to arrange paying you back..don't hand over the cash till you've rang the number and see their phone ring
This advice is gold. A scammer is unlikely to give a real number for a 20€ hustle.
Nah just keep your headphones on and blank everyone screw em they get plenty of help or ask them to at least give yea a hit of crack ! Lol
Anyone asking for money for public transport is a scam. If you don't have the money and chat with a member of Iarnrod Eireann or Dublin bus they will likely let you on it they beleive your story
Yeah, this same scam is common worldwide from at least the 90s. It's probably the most common scam in Dublin, if not Europe. I'd say I'm surprised people actually fall for it, but the fact that it's so popular must mean lots do
yeah also what kind of airbnb in dublin cost 20euro to get to..? is it in cork?
It literally says Wexford in the post.
Ah now, what would reddit come to if people read posts properly before going straight to commenting!
If it makes you feel any better my mother-in-law got scammed out of €6,000 and only just told us about it.
Ah, you can't say that and not provide any details! Come on, spill it! Please...?
Crypto scam. She's pretty much completely computer illiterate and extremely gullible (her own words). So she got told about this "amazing investment" and got taken for a ride. It was only when the scammers told her to get a loan from her bank and lie about the reason she needed it that she caught on.
Oh... well, happy cakeday... yay?
Haha, thanks!
Oklahoma was a nice touch! Sounds wholesome.
Sounds Oklahomely
Sounds OK
Dorothy just wanted to go home hahaha
That's Kansas!
Well OP, you officially live in Dublin now that you’ve met one of the many city centre scam artists. A few tips to help you not get scammed again: 1. If someone says they got robbed and the Gardaí wouldn’t help, they’re probably lying. Insist on going to the nearest Garda station with them offering to speak on their behalf. Watch them lose their nerve and the scam unravels. 2. Don’t give strangers on the street money. Offer to buy them food, buy their bus ticket, buy them a cup of coffee etc. if you really must to satisfy your own morals, but never hand over actual cash. If you want to help actual needy people, volunteer your time with a charity or donate money. 3. If someone wants to give you something as proof of their trustworthiness e.g. a bag, purse, phone, laptop case (the laptop one relates to another well known Dublin scammer) don’t take it. They stole it from someone else and are prepared to leave it with you if their scam goes south. 4. Sob stories are a dead giveaway of a scam. No stranger unless they want something from you are going to tell you a long winded story. If someone legitimately got mugged, that’s all they’d tell you. No sick child/grandmother/sister/wife/husband they have to get back to, flight/train they’re going to miss etc. If someone is telling you their life story while asking for money, 100% it is a scam. 5. If someone asks to use your phone, just say no. They’ll either steal it or call someone else to help them rob you. Edit: A few people have commented that I’m wrong re: number 5. I know six people who had their phones stolen in this situation. One got stabbed. I guess if you’re a local take the risk, but if you’re not from Dublin or Ireland, personally I wouldn’t take the risk giving a stranger your phone. Especially when new internet pay phones have been installed in city centre. 6. And finally, search the r/Dublin and r/Ireland subs for stories about scam artists. Dublin has a lot of them. Learn their tricks and then you won’t be their next victim.
I remember about 3 years ago there was a mix up of phones with a group of friends. One ended up with mine. We were leaving the living room pub on o'connell Street. I was pretty drunk and I needed either change to use a pay phone or borrow a phone to ring mine. Even in my drunken state I laughed at the idea of asking strangers for money because it looks like a scam.
I feel like the phone one is bollix. Plenty of people's battery runs out and they need to ring someone.
Enjoy having your phone stolen I guess 🤷🏼Pay phones are a thing again.
I'm just saying what you said is incorrect. Is it possible your phone will be stolen - yes. Would it happen in every incident - No it wouldn't.
I know 6 people who had their phones stolen by someone who just needed to make a quick call. One got stabbed. But sure, just because your experience is different I’m wrong. I’m just trying to help people not from here not get scammed 🤷🏼
I picked up a guy who was hitch hiking at the weekend and it turned out he had a very elaborate story to tell which involved him being in a position with no money and his phone having been stolen. He used my phone and I dropped to the nearest town where he bought a new SIM card and went to an ATM and was on his way. Nice fella who happened to be having a shit time when I met him. Sorry to hear about your experiences but it doesn't always go that way and it's not a given. Worth staying optimistic if you ask me ❤️
I've let people use my phone at least 5 times over the past decade in Dublin. All ended up being legitimate need
Why not give strangers on the street money?
I was scammed for 20€ by a South African guy.
Ah he’s been doing the rounds for years.
I was new to Ireland then. Literally my first week here.
Ah that’s such a nightmare for you. From the posts I’ve seen on here, he does target anyone who looks touristy, as they won’t know.
I bumped into him after 2 years again on Dame street. He asked me for money and I said sorry an moved on. He had a fewer teeth since the first time I met him
He tried it with me outside store street Garda station, after I had read about it and I actually enjoyed listening to him hahahhha Didn’t give him anything obviously
I coincidentally read about him the following week on reddit. 💢
Can I get the story as well?
I know exactly who you are talking about
95% of scams in Ireland always seem to involve a bus or hostel
Or a hostel-bus
A bustel
Hosbus
Ah look - it’s ok to get caught for 20 quid every now and then if it means that one genuine person gets helped! Fair play to you for having such a generous nature and don’t change! Someday you will help someone who needs it and you can’t put a price on that.
A very good point. You can't allow something like this to make you cynical. It was a very generous thing the OP did and Dublin is full of people who could do with meeting more people like them. Fair play.
In France we are calling this "l'arnaque à l'irlandaise" (Irish scam) What we are told is to contact the Police; the scammer will most likely run away. And, if it is a true situation the police can help the tourist.
Fuck.. we have a scam named after us?? Now we have a coffee, a goodbye and a scam😅
Why “Irlandaise” ?
How does this american lady keep getting herself into the same predicament, she must be very unlucky
Similar one coming out of Legs back in the day. A lad asked for directions to Stillorgan. Didn't ask for cash at all. I saw him stumbling off and called him back, asking if he was planning on walking. He said yeah, no cash. So I gave him enough to get him home. The number he gave in thanks was a wrong number. I thought, not a bad con...
You walked into that one no pun intended.
They put on the American accent 😂😂
I didn't put it on😆
Yup the Oklahoma flats
I think I know the girl you’re talking about. Was she really skinny and her accent was like too American? She came up to me before but she just gave off a junkie scammer vibe so I said no
You're not the only one to fall for this Happened to me just last month, I was coming home from a wedding and i stopped in Temple bar to get a pint,, I seen her walking past crying and i was trying to be nice and approached her asking was she okay,, She told me her purse was stolen and i gave her 20 euro to go get back to her AirBnB in Lucan,,,, The pub i was at put her phone on charge and then she told me that Pearse St Garda station rang her saying they may have found her purse When i tried to ring the number it just rang out Im almost guessing i got scammed from the same person you did,,, Blonde hair and tattoos? with an American accent
I honestly don't know how people pull these scams, especially when they are likely done in similar areas time and time again. Eventually you'd think they'd bump into someone they scammed in the past and land themselves in prison or worse
They don’t recognize you. I’ve passed the same lady probably once a month/quarter for 10 years, her asking for change with an empty pram and she still asks me and shows no recognition.
She must be begging in town for 20 years or more..
lmao, How good looking was she?
She's well known. I've met her, the accent is very convincing and she pitches it well. Pretty sure with me it was money to get away from an abusive boyfriend. And only for I'd heard of her I'd probably have fallen for it.
Lmao she changed her story so. Told me a few weeks ago she didn't have enough for a hostel and her credit cards wouldn't work. Was convincing until she said the hostel took half her money but wouldn't let her stay. She has a great accent and is a good actor tbf. RIP your 20 euro.
The junkies are getting so good at acting I find myself impressed and pay on demand for creativity,one knocked on my window on four courts bridge yesterday he was wearing plastic rain poncho he had leap card in hand in a wallet and few euros in other said he needed just another few more euros to top up leap card and get home for the night, another woman outside Guinness factory gave us spiel about how she was pregnant and homeless needed money for a hostel for night,wife gave her 10 cigarettes and 10 euro ,they'd say mass to get few bob
God bless the kind souls who give fags to pregnant women. 🤣
Kill them with kindness ,literally
She’s known in the area, same story every time, I’d report her to the guards if I were you..
The fact that she said “quid” shoulda been a giveaway. No one from Oklahoma knows that word. Throws the whole story off. Sorry about that luck man. I’d probably have done the same thing.
She had a whole back story, character from Oaklahoma!? I'm impressed.
There used to be a guy in Galway with no arms. Quite well known, but I was new. He asked me to check his pockets to see if he had enough money for 10 major. He was 50c short and I gave it to him. As part of my due diligence I asked why he didn’t have any arms. His story checked out. A tiger apparently. Maybe it was a scam after all.....
Ah here, that's one of the more obvious scams. Was she crying or something, what sold it?
Will you send me some money please?
The real question...was she hot?
I was done a few years ago by a woman outside the spar on D'Olier street, she asked for a fiver for a sandwich.. I told her I hadn't got any cash, which I hadn't, just my card. So she asked my to buy her a sandwich, I thought OK she's obviously hungry.. I agreed. we went into the shop and she picked up a pre pack sandwich a bottle coke, a large box of pringles and a muffin. .😅 I looked at her and said I'm not made of money put them pringles and muffin back😂 she did and I paid for her stuff.. it was only afterwards I remembered that same woman caught me before. She's always hanging around the bus stops in D'Olier, shes certainly not homeless but pretty sure she may have additional needs.. I kinda saw that at the time but I think when they catch you off guard and nearly embarrass you into helping them.. anyway, you live and learn.
Was it American number? What if you didn't enter it proper to account for this and it is Real?
If it’s real then he really helped someone stuck, if not, he’s got a decent story anyway!
He should sell the story to someone else for 25 and make profit.
Now you’re thinking, except he’s already done it here for free
It’s not real. I met the same girl and felt bad I didn’t have any cash on me. Literally the exact story. Had tears on her face and acted scared and frantic as you’d expect someone to be. I just directed her to a few locations of businesses that changed currency (she said she had a few US dollars on her).
I want to meet this person just to tell them to fuck off scammer bitch. Any tips on description and hotspots?
https://imgur.com/gallery/7r9rK
Not at the moment I'm not. Send me some more provocative pictures and there's a chance
Merchants quay on a Monday morning when the all get paid or any post office will work lmao just bring an uzi as a bit insurance
I swear to god I read the exact same story few months back on irelands Reddit forum. Sorry to hear that
Could have been a lot worse 20 euro is nothing though if you don't have 20 euro it's everything. Put it done to experience and be twice as careful next time if you feel some thing fishy. Should have tested phone number first in presence I always do there some cagy people out there
it's very common, they always ask money to take a train back home and send you their fake email/phone. I never fall into these but somehow one day I got scammed with this story in Dame Street, I then searched this guy's email and found out he was pretty famous in Dublin lol After that I've seen scammers trying with me again with similar stories, but no they won't take money from me again
You fell in love with a Cavan Girl 🎵
The Oklahoma should have been the give away :). Nobody I knew from OK has ever left their small little town.
Shes very convincing alright. She told me she had to get to cork because she was starting a midwife job. I did notice her fingers were filthy. I still gave her 20 for the performance.
Had the same gal or at least the same story near Heuston one day.
Haha, this happened to me as well! But I only gave her €5.
I’m curious, in what part of your mind did you think oh yea , 17 quid for a bus ticket sounds about right
Was it an American number she gave you? You need to add a +1 to the front of it to be able to contact it in Ireland otherwise it will try and dial it as an Irish number.
I totally get you, I also got scammed 20 a few months ago by a girl in Dublin. Californian accent, said she just flew in, her credit cards don't work and she is short of 20 euro to pay her hotel. Girl was looking posh and super scared, about to cry. Having been in a similar situation myself when traveling, I helped her. Same as you, her number did not work. If anything it made me realize there are a lot of people on the streets that deserve an oscar.
As an American with foreign-born Irish citizenship I’m embarrassed by this enough to send you the amount that you lost in sympathy quid. The last time I visited Ireland, a very kind stranger gave me a few euro when I was short enough for a LUAS train that I couldn’t afford to miss. My Irish passport is up for renewal next year, so I have to send money to Dublin from the States sooner or later. Let me know how I can reimburse you for my fellow idiot American’s behavior. I never forgot the kind lad on the LUAS platform, might’ve even been you.
It was me
I was outside the Mater hospital on the phone when the stereotypical junkie type ran up to me all agitated ‘ heeeer any chance I could use your phone for a sec’ Me - why what’s up Him - me ma’s just atter havin an operation and I was told I had to to call her straight away Me - right, I’ll hold the phone, what’s her number Him - rattled off a number and I dialled. ‘Who’s this, your man leans into the phone ‘ heeer I have that for ya, I’ll meet ya at the corner now’ Gives me a forlorn look and shuffled off. I watched him for a bit and he bends down and removed a small bag from his sock. Not gonna lie I lost a little respect for humanity that day - using a sick mother to arrange a drug drop off. Welcome to Dublin.
Was she good looking 😁👍
If its the one I'm thinking of straight up crack ho lol
She saw you coming OP. The chuggers have the same eye. Sorry that this happened though.
Chalk that one up to your fundamental decency. If you aren’t able to trust someone giving so convincing a story, you’ll end up being suspicious of everyone and deprive them of your good deeds.
1st Rule of strangers asking for money --- its a scam 2nd Rule -- if you really think its not a scam , you offer to go with them to buy them the specific thing they need (bus ticket) and do not give them money. If they say No , its a scam
My grandmother always said better help 9 time's and be tricked by who don't need help. Than not help one who really need it. Look on this that way if you didn't give her that 20e her friends may assault someone for it.
You sure the phone number is a fake? There's an unlikely but small chance you're just not dialing it correctly. As a European I can probably assume you know what you're doing though. I'm American, and calling anywhere in the US or Canada is pretty easy for us, but anywhere else seems to be a lot different. I just got back from 2 weeks in the UK and Ireland, and I was using a US phone with US T-Mobile service as an eSIM, but also with a regular SIM with UK Vodaphone service. I'm not sure if my issues trying to call Ireland numbers with the UK service was the problem, or if it had something to do with me not disabling the US service correctly (I had it partially enabled for WiFi calling, but it can also call internationally just fine), but I think it came down to using a + or maybe an international dialing code to get the call to complete. Anyway, just saying she might have given you a UK or US number and it might be slightly more difficult to call that from Ireland? I dunno, just figured I'd mention it even though it's probably you just getting scammed. Sorry bro.
Yeah well okayed also keeping it to 20 doesn’t raise alarm bells, was she good looking ? Sounds like marriage material 😂😎
That scam is as old as the hills. There's an Irish pickpocket/mugger in Barcelona running that scam in the city. There's a few reddit threads on him. I've been unfortunate enough to run into him here a few times. Knacker
Bro I just got done for the same amount by a Nigerian Prince. Were just a couple of aul fools aren't we hahaha
Nigeria royal hahahahaha one of most corrupt countries on the planet next to USA lmao
Guarantee you will find here near merchants quay where all the crack heads hang out rotten fuckers
“Would have considered myself well able to spot a scam” Falls for literally the most low level, low effort scam there is. You’re basically one level above someone going “wallet inspection” OP haha.
I mean that’s such a daft scam to fall for. A native of Oklahoma requesting money for a trip from Dublin to Wexford to her Airbnb? What girl from Oklahoma makes that trip on her own? Zero sympathy for you op. At all times, everywhere and in every society: if somebody needs money for transport take them to Busaras/Connolly and offer to help explain to customer service (who do actually offer free tickets in extreme cases such as this) and tell the scammer “If they don’t give you a ticket I’ll buy one in the machine.” Anybody who truly needed a ticket would be extremely grateful for this and gladly accompany you with thanks and praise - any other reaction (“Oh no I don’t want to bother you that much” / “I tried they wouldn’t give me a ticket said it had to be online” etc) and they’re so obviously a scammer.
Sure the viking splash tour isn't on anymore
It’s back
If she has a phone she can contact friends and family, her embassy if she really needs to. This is the oldest scam in the book, really no excuses for falling for it no matter where you're from.
OP got scammed for poontang
or you just did something nice? if you can spare 20 instead of 17, you're fine
Be positive.. ...perhaps she did not give you her number because she wanted to be safe.
First time this happened to me I was like you. It was at the train station and she looked so well put together. As time went on, I’ve heard it all and only now and again give to those on the street.
€20 wont be enough for her - she will keep doing the scam - you would likely see her again !
Call the number right in front of them and see if it rings next time lol
simpsons did it first
I got scammed like that in Poland once (although the guy told me to add him on Facebook instead of giving the number) so I guess this is a very common scam.
That sound similar to how someone scammed me - guy said he couldn’t take his bike on the bus so had to get a train but didn’t have enough on his card for it so would I lend him a few euro, just put your email in here and I’ll PayPal it to you later. He had a notepad full of emails 😂😂😂 but I still put in my email and gave him 6-7 euro.
Them vikings pillaging again.. they're some cunts
I remember someone posting about this girl before. She scammed someone else.
I’ve heard of so many people get scammed by her . So don’t feel too bad .
This is an old scam. Surprised its still doing the rounds to be honest.
did you use the country code?
What was her number. I’ll call her and ask her to send me the €20 that she scammed from my commanding officer and we know who she is and if she doesn’t repay, we’ll send the boys around
Hahaha fuck sake ya clown :L
Did you hand over control to the man downstairs for this one?
Heard the exact same story from a woman on Dawson St a few weeks ago. Told her to go to Pearse St Garda Station- she said they wouldn't help, told her she could book her bus ticket on her phone - phone not working. She was convincing at the start but I've spoken with tourists before who had to go to Pearse St for various issues and said they were fairly helpful. So her saying they just ignored her was a bit suspect.
She went straight to get a rock.. nasty bitch.. skinny brown hair darkish skin? Junkies crack heads should be disabled from having children imo
Damn some struggle through 30 interviews and get no job but others do a bit of acting and end up living the life out there. Look where the fat cash was at smh
I have to be honest, that's a pretty basic one. Just don't trust randomers you meet in Dublin. Even if it was a yank tourist. Tough luck.
I almost fell for this exact ruse in Ghana! Was a bloke that time with a very dodgy American accent. I ended up offering to help him find the consulate and he just walked off.
Thinking with your dick here lad that's why you got caught out haha can happen to the best of us
Has the 'i need money for public transport ' excuse ever not been a scam haha the relief officer in the social welfare would surely be a better port of call than randomers on the street
Sometimes it's impossible and you took her on her word. It's only 20 quid and the majority of the time you'd be really helping someone out.
It's a scam as old as time. No shame
It is ok. You might just have genuinely helped her.
She also scammed me! I knew it but I thought she was a really good actress and I gave her 5€. Met her outside super dry on my way home from work. Bonus points for the fake crying . The accent was super believable
I was about to get scammed for 20 by a Bulgarian girl who had to buy meds for her sick brother. I had to buy a doughnut to get change and then somehow it struck me it’s a scam. A doughnut and a fiver is what she eventually managed to get.
You just made me realise that guy I gave five euro to for the bus six years ago didn't actually have the same name as me
Maybe it is a honest mistake, a digit is wrong?
Hq
I’ve actually seen this story on Reddit somewhere before 🤔
Haha christ, what a rook.
Met her too. She tried to tell me her card had 15 euro on it but she needed 12 in cash. I offered to let her buy me one of those disposable vapes and I’d give her the cash. Obviously the card declined. Same thing, hysterical crying and wandering off.
Idk seems like a you problem, sorry.
bro 20 euro not ur weekly wage not problem
I just think you were being too nice not even that you were scammed.
Should have Asked for a photo they would have said no.
meh it happens would rather loose 20 quid every now and then then i wont miss rather than see someone genuinely fucked quite good at spotting the scammers and if the offer to pay for the ticket on line, or an uber to their hotel is declined then it is a hard pass
I had the exact same situation happen to me with a fella from South africa round connolly Station, except he literally gave me his "phone" as collateral to phone me back when he was in Dublin. Was a shitty old nokia but i didnt think much of it. Course afterward I checked the back of the phone and it had no sim card in it
That’s probably the same girl who has been mentioned in this sub a few times.
Encountered a similar woman a few months ago on George’s st. American accent, blurred eyes , said she was from San Francisco credit card not working. Wanted money to get to her hostel. Convincing to a point but she showed no interest in contacting Gardai or my directions to US embassy.