Bizarre Foreign Tourist Scam Downtown?

I had an odd experience this morning and was left somewhat bewildered, so I just need to see if anyone has had a similar thing happen recently.

I was walking to work downtown, down Stewart, when a European man and woman stopped me. The man showed me his supposed EU driver’s license while the woman proceeded to in a very fast but long way explain how they are visiting the states from Spain and were looking to drive from here to Chicago. She told me that the guy’s license was expired and so the rental car company wouldn’t rent them a car. She then ended by asking if I could rent them a car, and that they would pay me back. I of course said no and walked away really confused, as it just seemed such a ridiculous notion to ask a random stranger to put up their license, pay and assume all responsibility for a car some strangers are going to drive across the country, with the promise that they’ll pay you back?? I still can’t wrap my head around the logic.

I guess I just needed to tell this weird encounter but also ask if anyone else in the area has had a similar thing happen recently? Is this some weird desperate scam or just stranded foreigners trying desperate measures?? Bizarre nonetheless. Thanks for reading.