Am shocked... I think I met New York Times Square con artist who was shot dead this week.

Heard this on the news this morning and during my recent trip in Oct to NYC, I think we were scammed by this guy who collared us in Times Square.

NY Hustler Killed In Times Square Gunfight

If its the same person and it seems very likely it is, he wasn't violent towards us, but he was certainly very pushy in a charm offensive way, to the point where we just gave him $10 dollars so we could go on our way as he and his colleague blocked our path. He wrote my name on what was obviously a fake CD with his scribbled 'autograph' on it then asked for a 'donation' to help his career as a rapper as he said he was on the verge of being signed.

We were probably targeted as wide eyed tourists, and yes probably a bit gullible to go along with his patter, but hearing this story this morning made me go a bit cold...