Warning for squaddies/'state of society'

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Helped out a hitch-hiking marine (presuming it's all genuine and I'm not a candidate for the real hustle, anyway!) on the way back from Northampton today.

He'd been up in Lincoln, staying in a Hotel; think he'd been doing a talk or something locally. He was recently back from Afghanistan (and back there for another tour after his six week leave).
He got chatting to a random bloke in the hotel bar who offered to buy him a drink, saying about how they were all doing a good job out there etc.
A few pints later and he goes to the toilet; comes back and the new friend is gone, as his jacket and wallet.

Seems this bloke had popped into the hotel the night before and asked about the military people in; what they were doing etc, and been told that they were fresh back from Afghanistan.

So it would seem that this thief put a fair bit of thought into targeting military people just back from a tour, or so I'd presume; obviously they tend to have a big wad of cash to spend when they get back.
Not that you'd expect your average scamming thief to have such morals; but this seems particularly bad. Obviously a sensible 'business decision' for a thief, but still.

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

trevoriv · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Karma :

What a cunt. Evil or Very Mad

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strag · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

'Warning for squaddies.' Keep your wallet in your trousers when you go for a piss.
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Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

Wouldn't leave my wallet anywhere other than on me.

MattHirst · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Karma :

Thought it was common sense to not leave your wallet/jacket in the middle of a bar full of randomers. Maybe its just me.
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strag · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

Sounds like squaddie bullshit tbh.
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garyd · Brolly Dolly Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Karma :

The squaddies dont get paid in CASH so the wad loads of money..................would be in the bank,reckon youve been had G Laughing

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Chriss · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 May 2005 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

We shall see... he didn't seem the type to be trying a scam (or was just very good at it) and it would have had to have been very elaborate for that to be the case. I should point out he was maybe in his late thirties.
If I was going to try it on, I don't think I'd be doing it standing on a junction of the A43 at seven on a pretty cold night Smile

The comments about squaddies with lots of cash was from stories I've heard of other people I've known in the military who would come back from a tour and get a big pile of cash to go out on the town with, etc.
He didn't claim he'd lost loads of money, just that his wallet was stolen.

Incidentally, the story goes that it was in a hotel bar that was supposed to be 'residents only' though of course a little foolish to believe that they had anyway to enforce this; etc. I certainly still always keep wallet in a trouser pocket.

mr jamez · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Karma :

Have you checked to see if you still have your wallet? Razz

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Madmanx · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Karma :

I wouldn't be suprised if one of the hotels staff werent in on it, targeting victims as they register. Neutral

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flossi46 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Karma :

well i think it was nice of you to help him out G, these days many would have just carried on passed(i for one Embarassed

wouldn't dare), and if the lad was genuine (im sure he was) he would have been extremely grateful bless him.
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Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

You can't really blame anyone, for starters I believe picking up a hitchhiker can invalidate certain aspects of your insurance (possibly only the theft part). You're also taking a big risk, you can't figure anyone out just by looking at them so are you willing to risk your wallet, your car and possibly your life on it? And lastly most companies will not allow employees to pick up passengers in the works vehicles, so that rules out most people at work even being allowed to do it if they wanted.

A lot of hitchers are trade plate drivers, usually at motorway junctions with their trade plates on display, they often get paid for train travel home but if they can hitch they can keep the travel expenses money which makes their wages almost seem reasonable, hitching is encouraged though.