This situations have popped up on the news a few times when the pandemic 1st hit, with a few threads in the main r/Toronto group popping up over the past few years.

I was in Scarborough today visiting my parents in North East Scarborough. Before heading back to my place in midtown I decided to run a quick errand at Staples at Milner and Morningside Avenues. While walking around 4:15 pm on the huge curve on Milner, east of Morningside, a car pulled over and the driver was asking me something.

I had my headphones in so couldn't hear completely, there was a language barrier. Eventually the driver, a Middle Eastern guy, said he needs help to get to Thunder Bay. At that point I was like "Ok, and?...don't you have a phone with google maps?" to which he responded he needed financial help. Said if I spotted him cash he would give me a family airloom watch thats appraised at a high value. At that point I put my headphones in and kept walking.

IIRC there's various versions of these scams. Typically they occur in strip malls or a car will be pulled over on the ramp of a highway entrance along the 401. The guy was middle eastern, shaved low cut hair, white dress shirt, grey dress pants. Was driving a super old grey/silver Audi with some rusting around the rear area. Unfortunately I wasn't thinking and didn't get a picture of the car or guy.

Just thought to give a heads up.