Last night something happened that’s honestly shaken me a bit and I’d really appreciate some perspective/advice.

Im a 20F international student currently living in a uni flat in the UK and went out late at night to a grocery store that’s literally a 2-minute walk from my place. On the way there, a man in his 40-50s started calling out to me from a distance saying he needed help. I hesitated but ended up stopping because I didn’t want to ignore someone who might actually be in need.

He came up to me and started telling me a story about how he’s homeless and him and his girlfriend needed an Uber to a town about 40km away, saying he’d try to pay me in cash if I book it for him. It was late, I was alone and also in a rush because the store was about to close. I told him I don’t have a UK bank account, hoping that would end the conversation, but he kept pushing and saying that didn’t matter. I repeated that I was in a rush, and then he said something like “okay, after you come out of the shop you can help me,” and then followed me all the way to the store.

That part kinda scared me.

When I came out, he wasn’t there anymore, and I walked back home quickly, but the whole thing has stuck with me. It’s made me feel uneasy about going out alone at night now, especially since this happened literally right near my house.

There’s also another man who sometimes sits right next to my building and says hello to me sometimes. I’m not 100% sure, but I think this might have been the same person, which is what’s making me more uncomfortable; it feels like he might have recognised me and specifically called me over.

I also feel a bit conflicted because part of me keeps thinking: what if this actually was genuine and I didn’t help someone who needed it? I don’t want to come across as insensitive, but the situation just didn’t feel right, especially when he kept pushing and followed me.

I guess I’m wondering:

- Was this likely some kind of scam or something more concerning?

- Did I handle it okay, or should I have done something differently?

- How do you deal with situations like this without escalating things but also staying safe?

- Should I report this to anyone (police, uni security, etc.), or is that overreacting?

- Any tips for feeling safer going out alone at night again?

Would really appreciate hearing how others would interpret this or handle it.

TL;DR: Stopped to help a man late at night who asked me to book him an Uber, kept pushing and followed me to the shop. Now I feel uneasy going out alone and I’m unsure if this was a scam, something more serious, or if I should report it.