Car with out of state plates asked for directions and begged me to take cash?

Last year, I was walking near an intersection when I saw a minivan with out-of-state plates pulled over. The driver, maybe around 50, was on his phone and leaned out to ask me for directions to the nearest grocery store. I told him to take the next left and that a Whole Foods was about a mile away.

He quickly thanked me and said he was from Saudi, then offered me a $20 bill as a thank-you. I said no and walked away, but he kept begging me to take it, and so did the older woman in the passenger seat. He even opened the back windows where there was another woman and two kids, all pleading with me to accept the money.

It felt so strange. Why would anyone use their whole family to push a stranger into taking $20? Was this some kind of scam? The whole thing lasted maybe a minute, but it’s been bugging me. Has anyone else run into something like this?

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Him saying, ‘I’m from Saudi,’ sounds like he was trying to start one of those ‘rich traveler’ scams. They pretend they’re stranded, offer fake jewelry as collateral, and ask for cash. The $20 was probably bait to see if you’d bite. It’s all about gaining your trust to set up the bigger con.

@BAWSMAYOR
Yeah, that makes sense. Now that you say it, the $20 was probably fake too. Just part of the act.

Maybe he was just being genuinely thankful and offering you a tip? In some cultures, it’s expected to insist you take a gift, and refusing could be seen as rude or embarrassing, especially in front of women. But this is the U.S., not Saudi Arabia. Walking away was probably the safest move.

@Jesse
I’ve met people from other countries who adapt to local customs quickly, so I don’t think this was a cultural misunderstanding.

Terryanne said:
@Jesse
I’ve met people from other countries who adapt to local customs quickly, so I don’t think this was a cultural misunderstanding.

True, but I’ve also seen people who don’t even try. Like, why do national parks have signs telling people not to stand on toilets?

What scam could this even be? Unless the $20 was fake, I don’t get it. I probably would’ve just taken it and walked off.

ANIVAH said:
What scam could this even be? Unless the $20 was fake, I don’t get it. I probably would’ve just taken it and walked off.

I was thinking maybe it was a setup for something worse, like a kidnapping.

@Mitchell
With kids in the car? That seems like a stretch.

Could it have been something related to human trafficking or abduction? The whole situation sounds off.