I READ the letter Watch Out For Taxi Conman (News Shopper, September 13) with interest as I too live in Petts Wood and had the same man knock on my door.

I assume it is the same man as the story is startlingly similar.

This gentlemen, a well-dressed, young black man said the same - his father lived in the next road and was not in and he needed to get to King's College Hospital quickly.

It was before 8am one morning and he was asking if I could drive him there.

He was extremely agitated and very close to tears and as it was impossible for me to drive him I felt quite guilty I could not help him.

When he suggested I gave him money for a cab instead I felt slightly suspicious and suggested he try to get a lift from someone else.

He was very, very plausible and I have to say I spent many days afterwards feeling guilty should he have been genuine, what a sad world we now live in as nobody trusts or helps anyone.

I'm sorry he turned out to be a "conman" and people have given him money but a little bit of me is relieved he was not a stranger in need I turned my back on.

Name and address supplied