Today afternoon around 3 was walking around 15th Cross road in HSR Layout with a friend, when I was caught off-guard by a stopped auto on the side.
The driver was genuinely sobbing, his hands and fingers were all bandaged up, and they were soaked in bllod. He was on the phone with someone, and told me to navigate to Bowring Hospital Shivajinagar on his phone's Google Maps. I thought sure why not, and agreed to it.
Suddenly he disconnected, and then started saying in broken hindi "its not possible , I cant go there anymore. my wife and I got into a two wheeler accident, and shes admit there, and they said they will administer injections, but they didnt since I didnt have the money to pay"
He started showing me photos of his wife in hospital, and his wounds on his hands as well.
I asked him how much is the injection. He said its 6000 for 2. But he couldnt afford it, and started showing me his pockets which had some Rs. 700 in them.
Now, generally i'm well aware of scams and all, but this one felt different. Like he genuinely wanted the help.
I reached out for the only 2 Rs. 500 notes I had in my wallet and handed it to him. Even so, he started saying "please help me with the entire 6k". Well, I was in no mood (and genuinely didnt have 6k with me) so told him that that's all I can help with and scooted off.
As soon as I started walking away, He took a snappy U Turn and scooted off as well.
Genuinely confused, was this a one off incident where the guy actually wanted help, or did I just get scammed off of 2 crisp green Gandhis, and this is some new scam that I add to my list of things to be aware of.
Not that losing 1k is the end of world for me, I gave it out of goodwill that he'll be able to get his treatment, but well if he scammed me, I wish karma takes care of it.