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Backpack scam lady & last few days here.....

 
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tideout



Joined: 12 Dec 2010

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:10 am    Post subject: Backpack scam lady & last few days here..... Reply with quote

While walking through Itaewon on one of my last times here I saw for the first time the backpack/suitcase "scam" lady.

I was in something of a downer mood when walking toward McDonalds from the main intersection (quiznos) when I a tall Korea lady in her late 30's(?) stepped out from a bus stop shelter.

Sure enough, it was the woman mentioned in earlier posts here who asks help in moving her backpack "around the corner" because it's too heavy....

I just said "sorry - I can't help now" and walked on. Clearly wierd if not a setup for something. Anyone ever take the bait since the posting awhile back?

Strange running into that in one of my final days here.
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Weigookin74



Joined: 26 Oct 2009

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wish a few foriegners would do it together to see what happens. Better yet, this weekend a few should go there. One walks by himself with his friends a short view away. He carries it around the corner and 5 or 6 guys follow quickly. See what's up? Maybe we can finally solve the mystery.
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Rutherford



Joined: 31 Jul 2007

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
He carries it around the corner and 5 or 6 guys follow quickly. See what's up? Maybe we can finally solve the mystery.


He's going to walk that suitcase right into a room of Jehova's Witnesses ready to pounce.
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Skippy



Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Weigookin74 wrote:
I wish a few foriegners would do it together to see what happens. Better yet, this weekend a few should go there. One walks by himself with his friends a short view away. He carries it around the corner and 5 or 6 guys follow quickly. See what's up? Maybe we can finally solve the mystery.


This, I like. Do not forget a camera. It might make the news.
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hiamnotcool



Joined: 06 Feb 2012

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would say if someone does it make sure you have friends that can not only defend you but vouch for you if the law gets involved. I haven't heard of anyone being mugged in Itaewon in this fashion, so it's possible people have carried her bag from point A to point B with no incident before. Then there is the possibility the bag is filled with something illegal and she just needs someone to take the blame in case the delivery is stopped by the cops enroute to it's destination, in other words you may be an ignorant drug mule.

Wouldn't it be weird if her bag really was heavy and she had to carry it every day, so every day she asked someone to help her?
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tardisrider



Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hiamnotcool wrote:
Then there is the possibility the bag is filled with something illegal and she just needs someone to take the blame in case the delivery is stopped by the cops enroute to it's destination


I understand what you're saying, but the possibility of someone carrying her bag being randomly stopped and busted seems highly unlikely given that the delivery point from A to B is presumably just around the corner. How did she get it there in the first place?

I really do like the idea of it being somebody who just innocently needs (or simply likes) others to give her a hand. What if she's actually doing it as a prank--just to get people all worked up about trying to suss out her "scam"? That would be hilarious.
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CrikeyKorea



Joined: 01 Jun 2007
Location: Heogi, Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What scam is this? Are there any links to this scam?
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Skippy



Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For those that do not know....

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=220571
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wookiej



Joined: 01 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This isn't really a scam, just a sad/desperate woman who is probably borderline homeless. I had a period of a few months where I'd run into her at least once a week.

The first time I helped her carry her bags to mcdonalds, once we got there she asked for me to buy her a coffee. I politely refused and went on my way without her giving me any hassle.

The next few times she would make a point of coming up to me on the street to try and make small talk, usually discussing how she has a husband in the UK who she loves very much. I doubt that is the truth but these short conversations never led up to her asking me for anything.

The last time I spoke to her we happened to be taking the the same 405 bus from itaewon to the city hall area. When she recognized me at the bus stop she got really excited and said she was going to the British embassy. I helped her get her bags on the bus and she insisted on paying my bus fare for me. Once we got on and settled (I sat in a solo seat for obvious reasons) I told her I had work to do on my phone and she left me alone.

So overall I'm up chon won in bus fare, down a couple minutes of mild physical exertion. I don't think this woman is best friend material, or mentally stable, but she definitely isn't news worthy (other than for a compassion piece) or a serious threat to anyone.
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Skippy



Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some people think it might be a variation of this scam...

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=220512
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le-paul



Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

id say it seems like an ice breaker to ask for money. shes probably homeless. People used to ask the time first. Its obviously gotton more physical these days.
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ewlandon



Joined: 30 Jan 2011
Location: teacher

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wookiej wrote:
This isn't really a scam, just a sad/desperate woman who is probably borderline homeless. I had a period of a few months where I'd run into her at least once a week.

The first time I helped her carry her bags to mcdonalds, once we got there she asked for me to buy her a coffee. I politely refused and went on my way without her giving me any hassle.

The next few times she would make a point of coming up to me on the street to try and make small talk, usually discussing how she has a husband in the UK who she loves very much. I doubt that is the truth but these short conversations never led up to her asking me for anything.

The last time I spoke to her we happened to be taking the the same 405 bus from itaewon to the city hall area. When she recognized me at the bus stop she got really excited and said she was going to the British embassy. I helped her get her bags on the bus and she insisted on paying my bus fare for me. Once we got on and settled (I sat in a solo seat for obvious reasons) I told her I had work to do on my phone and she left me alone.

So overall I'm up chon won in bus fare, down a couple minutes of mild physical exertion. I don't think this woman is best friend material, or mentally stable, but she definitely isn't news worthy (other than for a compassion piece) or a serious threat to anyone.



this guy is clearly in on the scam,
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Keeper



Joined: 11 Jun 2012

PostPosted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 6:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What scam? Has anyone in anyway been scammed by her? I think this is more about skeptical foreigner and someone who needs some help (this includes money, place to stay, or simply moving the bag).
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Zulethe



Joined: 04 Jul 2008

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 2:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hiamnotcool wrote:
I would say if someone does it make sure you have friends that can not only defend you but vouch for you if the law gets involved. I haven't heard of anyone being mugged in Itaewon in this fashion, so it's possible people have carried her bag from point A to point B with no incident before. Then there is the possibility the bag is filled with something illegal and she just needs someone to take the blame in case the delivery is stopped by the cops enroute to it's destination, in other words you may be an ignorant drug mule.

Wouldn't it be weird if her bag really was heavy and she had to carry it every day, so every day she asked someone to help her?


Keep your realistic, highly plausible theories to yourself Pal!!! This is not the place for that. We prefer sensationalization on these here boards.
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dairyairy



Joined: 17 May 2012
Location: South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is she hot? lol Yeah, it makes a difference.
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