This scam usually occurs in poor countries. As you are walking by a busy place and look around, you bump into a kid who has dropped a brush. He drops it on purpose, knowing that you are behind him, will pick it up, and return it to him.

As he is glad to have it back, he might tell you that the brush is from his grand-grandfather and he is happy he didn’t lose it, since all the men in his family were shoe-shiners…

After that, he will tell you he is willing to do your shoes for half price, just because you were so nice to him. As you usually don’t get a shoeshine, you somehow appreciate what this 9-year old is offering. During the two minutes you will be in his chair, he will come up with other stories about his hard life, making you feel happy you live where you live.

You will probably end up giving him a good tip as well, while his “half-price” is a full fee, anyway.

How to avoid? Just accept it the first time; you know you’ve been scammed but you are lucky to live where you live. What were you doing when you were nine years old?