I was scammed out of £220 by a man pretending he needed a train ticket – people think it’s my fault for being too trusting

• Taking to Reddit, commuter explained how they were tricked at Victoria station 
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A traveller has issued an online warning after being scammed out of £220 – and was left feeling like a ‘right melt’ as they thought they were helping a person in need. 

Taking to Reddit, a commuter at Victoria Railway Station in London explained how a ‘nerdy’-looking young man approached them and claimed they were in desperate need of a ticket to Fairfield after having lost his wallet. 

The poster said the trickster ‘gave it a big performance’, pretending to be anxious and shaken, to fool them. 

Recalling how they were fleeced by the scammer, the commuter said the young man also changed his location during the conversation and later suggested the ticket was for Leicester – which they admit was a missed ‘red flag’.

After explaining the scam to others in a warning, many readers insisted the commuter shouldn’t be so hard on themselves – however others suggested they were far too trusting. 

A traveller has issued an online warning after being scammed out of £220 – and was left feeling like a ‘right melt’ as they thought they were helping a person in need. Stock image used

Explaining the interaction with the scammer, the anonymous commuter wrote: ‘He shows me a birth certificate saying “Samuel Jones”, which really should have been a red flag as that’s not valid ID anywhere.’ 

The poster admitted that they felt silly after falling for the theatrical act. 

‘I know you’re probably going to read this and think I’m a right melt, but in my defence I was coming home after a 12 hour coach ride from Amsterdam and absolutely knackered,’ they explained. 

They also added that in hindsight, there were a lot of suspicions raised, including that Fairfield is in Derbyshire, and a long way from Leicester – and that the ticket would have only been £180. 

‘Despite all these glaring red flags, my soppy empathy brain decides to give this man what he asked for, on the premise that “his mum will pay me back”,’ they revealed.

The scammer gave the commuter their number, and thanked them via text. 

After a day of waiting, the Redditer sent their bank details – ‘account number and sort code – I’m not that dumb luckily’ – but claims they received no response. 

‘I tried for a few days before looking up the number online,’ the post continued. 

The caution sparked mixed reactions online, as while some were sympathetic, many couldn’t believe the poster fell for the trick

‘Turns out a good few people in the city have fallen for the same scam and lost similar amounts of money to it.’

They’ve since filed a police report but ‘doubt much will come of it’, issuing a warning to others who may fall victim for a similar situation.

The caution sparked mixed reactions online, as while some were sympathetic, many couldn’t believe the poster fell for the trick. 

‘Gave a random guy £220? Lol really?’ one wrote. 

‘Yeah I don’t think you can blame tiredness for this,’ a second added. ‘Giving that much money to a total stranger is insane.’ 

‘This doesn’t seem like much of a scam,’ a third advised. ‘He just asked for the money and you gave it to him.

‘An expensive lesson, but not too bad in the long run if it’ll guard you from getting scammed again.’

Another admitted that they wouldn’t even trust someone ‘who genuinely needed help with a tenner’ because of how many scams there are flying around, while others shared tales of similar experiences. 

However, some praised the victim’s kindness in spite of the circumstances. 

‘Must feel unpleasant,’ one wrote. ‘But good on you for being someone who would have helped in a real need. ‘Most would be too cynical these days. Feel better!’

‘You’re a decent human being,’ another praised.  

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