Really in need or a scammer?

Today, after Malay Special Programme (MSP), I boarded bus number 157. I was on my way home. it was then that i witness an interesting event. it was an handicapped-friendly bus and the bus roughly looks like this:

i was standing at the two parallel standing cushions. So, now on to my story. i saw an old malay woman, with a floral-patterned shirt on seating at the front four seats(on the right of the picture)next to her was a boy from a JC.

After several stops, she suddenly started talking to the JC boy. the conversation was short. "Can you lend me 40cents?"she spoke coolly. the gentlemen, who was engrossed in messaging with his phone, without any questions asked, handed over the 40cents in small denomination, silently, to her. After which, continued texting, as if nothing happened. the woman on the other hand, after receiving the 40cents, took a look at it. She was unhappy.
after another few more stops, a chinese couple boarded and sat at the other two seats. to my surprise, the lady repeatedly asked the old man for another 60cents(40 + 60 =100)the old man ignored her,and to further express his discontent, he got off the sit.
the lady was looked very angry.
at the next stop, a chinese lady boarded the bus and sat next to the Malay lady. they exchanged glances temporarily. the malay woman asked the chinese for another 60cents and the lady just ignored her. she was frustrated at her futile efforts. Meanwhile the lady pretended to be on the phone to prevent the woman from talking to her again.
Not long after, the stop which i should alight came and i wished that i could stay a bit longer to see how the event unfold.
In my opinion, i feel that if i was seating next to her and even if she is a scammer, i would have given the 40cents she wanted so as to prevent any other events. As to if she is a cheat or not, i find it hard to determine so i would just leave the decision in your hands.