And, maybe this is common knowledge, don't know - but some of the scammers are better off than the victims. Years ago when I lived in LA, I sometimes handed money to the people standing by freeway onramps with signs like "will work for food." That was until I saw one of them get into a car much nicer than mine and drive away. After that, I heard of incidents where the victim would be taking money out of their wallet to give to the panhandler and the panhandler would grab the wallet and run away. That did it, since then I do not give any $ or gifts to any strangers.