'Crying Amtrak Girl' scams people from Davis to Vacaville

[The Straight Story]

'Crying Amtrak Girl' scams people from Davis to Vacaville


DAVIS, CA -- Dozens of people say they've given away their hard-earned money to help a young woman out of a jam, but her hard-luck story may have been a ruse.

People who have seen her and dug into their wallets and purses share the same story. The "Crying Amtrak Girl" who also goes by the name Amber walks up to stranger and tells them she broke up with her abusive boyfriend and needs $40 for a train ticket home to see her parents.

But after internet bloggers exchanged stories, the scam has now been posted on Wikipedia and Facebook. Nearly 24 people have logged their encounters on DavisWiki.

"Yes, she was believable," said Kamal Lansfer who gave Amber $5 to $10 when she approached him outside of a Safeway store.

"She was definitely crying. That was what actually hooked me," said UC Davis student Vinet Kurootik. "I pitched in 25 bucks, whatever I had at the time."

The crying girl is now reportedly approaching parents with children at grocery stores during the day.

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