In today's time, there are a lot of people who are ready to go out of their way to help the not-so-privileged part of society and bring their stories into light. With the help of social media and it's reach, helping is much easier in today's time.

However, sometimes trying to help people can also backfire and it is not always exactly what it seems to be on the surface. We recently came across one such story.

A woman who came in contact with a shoe polisher in Mumbai recently told his story on her official Twitter account. She wrote about his life and the hardships he has gone through and all the ways she plans to help him.

However, as her tweet went viral, people started approaching her and told her how common a scam this was. People revealed that this same man, who also goes by the name of Babu, has scammed people by asking them for a shoe polish box and how it is going to save his life.

The Twitter user wrote, " I met this boy outside McDonalds at Linking Road. He asked me if he could clean my shoes. I refused. And then he said today he’s had no customers. And he was hungry. So I asked him what he’d like. And he pointed to the frankie shop right there. We ordered a roll."

I met this boy outside McDonalds at Linking Road. He asked me if he could clean my shoes. I refused. And then he said today he’s had no customers. And he was hungry. So I asked him what he’d like. And he pointed to the frankie shop right there. We ordered a roll. pic.twitter.com/IpcLKXIhye July 23, 2019

He spoke English with an accent. And kept asking if he could clean my shoes, bcoz he didn’t want to eat for free. I insisted my sneakers were clean enough & instead he cld just talk to me. Long story short: he’s from Rajasthan. His dad used to sell maps etc to tourists. agentgreenglass (@agentgreenglass) July 23, 2019

That’s where he picked up the accent. Dad used to beat them. So they all ran away to Mumbai. They live in a slum close to bandra station. He realised he could clean, polish and repair shoes and make some money. He doesn’t want to beg. agentgreenglass (@agentgreenglass) July 23, 2019

Some folks who he stopped, like me, were also interested in how well he spoke, and got him admitted to school two weeks back. Now here’s the thing. In the evenings he wants to polish shoes and make money. For that he needs a box. It costs 1,800 bucks. I’m going to get the box. agentgreenglass (@agentgreenglass) July 23, 2019

He doesn’t have a phone etc. So I’m meeting him on Sunday, to go get the box with him. It has three polished, three brushes etc. standard equipment. However, I’m hoping we can get him a job in an office. Where he can work & learn. agentgreenglass (@agentgreenglass) July 23, 2019

So if you have an office in #Bandra or know anyone who does, please do reach out if you can hire this young boy. He speaks very well and maybe we can give him a chance to make something off his life. Thank you. agentgreenglass (@agentgreenglass) July 23, 2019

After reading these tweets a lot of people applauded the Twitter user for her kind heart and her will to help, however, she was also cautioned about this being a scam.

UPDATE: a lot of people telling me this is a scam. There’s a video doing the rounds as well. Super sad I am. Will check the video and then take a call. Thanks everyone who wrote in asking me to be careful. agentgreenglass (@agentgreenglass) July 24, 2019

That is a decades old ploy. Decent looking guy offers to clean shoes for half the price and comes up with a story. I was connned once at marine driver. Bought the guy food and then he said he needed money for a shoe polish stand. Mayur Shetty TOI (@mayurshetty01) July 24, 2019

I had experienced this twice. Second time I was wiser. What was common was both of their demeanour and neatly combed hair. Mayur Shetty TOI (@mayurshetty01) July 24, 2019

Did u chk the authencity of the matter?He was cheating you n by putting this on SM,u r doing the same.UNKNOWINGLY perhaps IndiaChanging (@bullbearcartel) July 24, 2019

Another user shared a video of the same guy asking some foreigners for help and reciting the same exact story. In the video you can see that as they did further research they realised that the man receites the same story to everybody and the people who help him buy the shoe box, the moment they step aside, he goes back into the shop, gives back the box and slits the sum with the shop keeper.

Have a look. The video is by the YouTuber, Sam Pepper Live.

Professional Shoeshine box scammer at work.

Watch here for yourself...https://t.co/dsiAOH0eBT Super Zero (@superzero_) July 24, 2019

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