The Annekenstein Monster: The Christmas Shoes Scam

The Annekenstein Monster: The Christmas Shoes Scam: "As a public service to my loyal readership, I offer you this warning, just in time for Christmas. It concerns a confidence scam that surfaced last year, and by all accounts, will be even more popular this year. It is being dubbed The Christmas Shoes Scam.
This is how it works:
The scam usually is pulled at a busy department store or mall, usually at times when there are large crowds mingling. A young child (usually, could be a trust-inspiring early teenager too) will linger around the checkout, holding an item of clothing he makes obvious he wishes to purchase. While the item is usually a pair of womens shoes (hence the scam's name), it can be anything really. The main characteristic is that the item is NOT something the child would purchase for his own wardrobe. While holding the item, the child will look sad. This is done to lure in the victim.
It is an inactive scam, meaning that the child will wait until approached. Once approached by a concerned (meaning: vulnerable and/or Christian) adult, the scam artist will begin with the waterworks, crying softly at first, moreso as the situation demands. When asked what's wrong, the child will lay the base of the scam. Usually the child will say something to the effect that a family member (usually a Mother) is very ill, and is in fact about to die. Perhaps even this very night."