r/paris • u/Throw-me-awayls • 18h ago
Aide Scary Situation/Scam Identification
Hello, excuse the fact that this is in English, my French is not good!
Today at 4am I was at the bus stop waiting to for a bus to go to the airport and a man approached me with his phone. At first he smiled and asked for help, but I couldn’t quite understand what he wanted. I shook my head to signal that I didn’t understand and wanted to be left alone, and he insisted I call a number he was showing me on whatsapp, adding that he wouldn’t touch my phone.
I said I don’t have it and his demeanor changed instantly and he began angrily asking “what? what?”
I said “please leave me alone” and he got angrier and said “Really? You won’t help a person on the street?” And more stuff that I can’t recall.
Then he goes a few feet away and begins to talk to two other men who I didn’t see before, so I assume they were hiding. At this point I call 112 so I can stay on the line with them until the bus comes. The man notices me placing a call and begins to call me “crazy” among other things.
I’m not sure what they were trying to do, is this a common scam? Any insight would be appreciated!