This bizarre scam is made even more hideous because it tugs on a Good Samaritan's sense of humanity. Behold, the drowning baby scam:
She pointed to the nearby lake where Mr White saw a baby, clothed and with shoes on, floating face down in the water.
Mr White, who suffers from angina, immediately sprang into action.
He took off his jacket and jumped into the filthy, waist-deep water while his wife and dog waited nearby just out of sight.
But when he grabbed the child's leg he realised it was actually a doll.
When Mr White turned around he saw the woman and her male accomplice stealing from his coat.
Would this make you less likely to save someone truly in need? Link - via TYWKIWDBI
A mother unwilling to rescue her baby. Two thieves stealing from a poor source of booty. Both being seen by the mark. Losing a doll that is convincing enough to fool someone a few yards away. Counting on the mark not calling 999 before jumping in the water.
Either Smith had something in his jacket that they specifically wanted or the whole story was concocted.
"Oh my god my baby's drowning!"
"Well why don't you go in and save them?"
But made up or not, I wouldn't hesitate to save the (fake) baby. A wallet's contents can be replaced, the guilt of possibly letting an infant drown doesn't usually go away....
I mean, when I was drowning in the pool, my mom didn't wait to get her shoes off. She dove in. I know wet business cards are a turn off, but time is of the essence when a child's life is in danger. Not to mention it thwarts potential thieves.
THe lake's not the only thing fishy about the story.
a. Don't help people because they're probably going to screw you over
b. get creative with scams