I’ve had people asking me for “bus fare” and when i offer to go to the local grocery store and buy them a bus ticket instead of giving them actual money they oddly decline...
Maybe I am jaded...
Used to be a big scam in all the Chicago downtown train stations. Nicely dressed man or woman asking for help buying a train ticket to get home. Surprisingly one day they would be in front of Union Station, the next in front of the Northwestern, etc rinse wash repeat. Two weeks later at a different time, there they would be again.