Very difficult sorting the wheat out from the chaff (chav). Sounds like your guy may have just had a genuine need for help though, but I'm sure that if he did some kind would would've sorted him out. Always remember taking my ex in laws who were South Africans to London for the first time. The ex mother in law gave some money to a shabby looking bloke who was sitting on the pavement in a quieter part of Covent Garden. He really had the act off to a fine tee, with the sorrowful face, grotty clothes and one of those voices you put on when you're phoning in sick. Later that evening we went to a bar in the vicinity and saw him all dressed up and sitting at the bar drinking what looked like a gin and tonic! Maybe he was a drama student?