Don't stop for roadside scammers

10:40am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News

SCAMMERS are targeting drivers at the sides of roads and conning them out of money.

Hampshire police are warning people to be vigilant after 65 separate incidents on highways and motorways in just a couple of months.

In most cases motorists are flagged down by someone stood at the side of a road claiming they have ran out of fuel.

They then tell the driver they have no cash or have lost or left their wallet - and offer what they say is gold jewellery and sometimes a watch in exchange for money.

Since the scam was first reported to police in October last year, 11 drivers have been conned out of cash with amounts varying from £10 to up to £200 on one occasion.

Conmen have targeted motorists on the M3, M27 and A303.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton said: “It seems the offenders in these cases are preying on the good nature of their victims. Sadly, some people willingly handed over cash thinking the offer would benefit them.

“However the gold is fake, often highly polished copper made to look like gold. The goods they offer are practically worthless.

“Thankfully, in the majority of reports we've heard about, the people contacting us did not take up the offer and were not duped.

“Tackling and disrupting organised crime is a priority for the force and it's believed that the offenders are involved in such groups operating across the country.

“I hope the actions of these few criminals do not dissuade people from offering help at the side of the road to others who genuinely need it.”

Police are advising drivers who spot anyone acting suspiciously at the roadside to call them immediately on 101 and if possible note down their vehicle registration number.

Comments(19)

uvox44 says...
10:51am Tue 26 Feb 13

guess if you are dim enough to think someone will give you a valuable gold watch for a few pounds then you deserve what you get - after all these people are thinking they are getting a bargain at the expense of the "broken down" motorist.

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Wesoblind says...
11:20am Tue 26 Feb 13

Conmen have stopping people at the side of the road and conning them out of money for years, they are called the police!

I got a fine for not wearing a seatbelt a few years ago when i clearly had it on but when i tried to argue i got threatend with arrest, why isthis not investigated. oh yea people in authority dont lie!

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s-pb2 says...
11:32am Tue 26 Feb 13

Wesoblind wrote:
Conmen have stopping people at the side of the road and conning them out of money for years, they are called the police!

I got a fine for not wearing a seatbelt a few years ago when i clearly had it on but when i tried to argue i got threatend with arrest, why isthis not investigated. oh yea people in authority dont lie!
Yawn

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suzigirl says...
11:38am Tue 26 Feb 13

They used to come to the car park at the Stadium car boot on a Sunday morning trying to flog "gold" jewellery so they could feed their children! Was it mostly old people that have been "conned"?

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Wesoblind says...
11:56am Tue 26 Feb 13

s-pb2 wrote:
Wesoblind wrote: Conmen have stopping people at the side of the road and conning them out of money for years, they are called the police! I got a fine for not wearing a seatbelt a few years ago when i clearly had it on but when i tried to argue i got threatend with arrest, why isthis not investigated. oh yea people in authority dont lie!
Yawn
because of people like you is the reason our country is in the state it is, letting everyone with some power get away with things eg banks and government.
If you find it boring then why comment? Or is it it was not really a yawn just when you open your mouth that wide nothing intellegen comes out so perceived as a yawn :)

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Time_Traveller says...
11:59am Tue 26 Feb 13

If someone takes something for trying to help a stranded motorist, then they deserve to be duped.

What ever happened to helping someone just for the sake of it? I recently stopped to help an elderly couple with a flat tyre and I wouldn't dream of taking anything from them for it!

Greedy people deserve all they get when trying to gain from other people's misfortunes :o/

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gerbil112 says...
12:09pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Highway Robbery, in a modern context!

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skydriver says...
12:11pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Do these conmen/women originate from these shores? I would stake money on it there not, and I'm not a gambler.

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suzigirl says...
12:41pm Tue 26 Feb 13

skydriver wrote:
Do these conmen/women originate from these shores? I would stake money on it there not, and I'm not a gambler.
Foreigners - just like the foreigners who try to dupe you when you advertise on line - probably on computers in a mud hut somewhere!

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Pablo23 says...
1:13pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Wesoblind wrote:
Conmen have stopping people at the side of the road and conning them out of money for years, they are called the police!

I got a fine for not wearing a seatbelt a few years ago when i clearly had it on but when i tried to argue i got threatend with arrest, why isthis not investigated. oh yea people in authority dont lie!
Its one persons word against another isn't it.

e.g. why do we believe you were wearing your seat belt just because you said so?

Its like old whatshisname getting his wife to take his speeding tickets

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Pablo23 says...
1:16pm Tue 26 Feb 13

skydriver wrote:
Do these conmen/women originate from these shores? I would stake money on it there not, and I'm not a gambler.
Well said.

I think its reasonable to say that as British we have a clear conscience when it comes to commiting crime.

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scrumpyjack says...
1:31pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Wesoblind wrote:
s-pb2 wrote:
Wesoblind wrote: Conmen have stopping people at the side of the road and conning them out of money for years, they are called the police! I got a fine for not wearing a seatbelt a few years ago when i clearly had it on but when i tried to argue i got threatend with arrest, why isthis not investigated. oh yea people in authority dont lie!
Yawn
because of people like you is the reason our country is in the state it is, letting everyone with some power get away with things eg banks and government.
If you find it boring then why comment? Or is it it was not really a yawn just when you open your mouth that wide nothing intellegen comes out so perceived as a yawn :)
Yawn.

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Bob49 says...
1:31pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Time_Traveller wrote:
If someone takes something for trying to help a stranded motorist, then they deserve to be duped.

What ever happened to helping someone just for the sake of it? I recently stopped to help an elderly couple with a flat tyre and I wouldn't dream of taking anything from them for it!

Greedy people deserve all they get when trying to gain from other people's misfortunes :o/
dearie me


there's always one


the con is in asking for money for petrol and offering something supposedly quite valuable as a 'deposit' or even exchange

I doubt anyone would be expected to help"someone just for the sake of it?" by handing over cash to a complete stranger

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scrumpyjack says...
1:34pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Pablo23 wrote:
skydriver wrote:
Do these conmen/women originate from these shores? I would stake money on it there not, and I'm not a gambler.
Well said.

I think its reasonable to say that as British we have a clear conscience when it comes to commiting crime.
I'll pay £50 to a charity fund for the Romany if it is reported that this is being committed by your bog standard everyday brit that does not come with the word 'minority' attached.

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wonderway says...
1:36pm Tue 26 Feb 13

councils have been doing this for years they never get arrested

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chris100 says...
2:29pm Tue 26 Feb 13

i got done for doing 35 in a 30 yet the scramra van was parked on double yellow lines so surley he should have got a ticket

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scrumpyjack says...
2:32pm Tue 26 Feb 13

chris100 wrote:
i got done for doing 35 in a 30 yet the scramra van was parked on double yellow lines so surley he should have got a ticket
What's that got to do with anything?

You broke the law and you're linking yourself to these con artists who also are breaking the law and you are both doing so on the road?

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EGHH says...
3:18pm Tue 26 Feb 13

I don't stop for anyone. Sod 'em I say!

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stevobath says...
2:18pm Tue 5 Mar 13

scrumpyjack wrote:
Pablo23 wrote:
skydriver wrote:
Do these conmen/women originate from these shores? I would stake money on it there not, and I'm not a gambler.
Well said.

I think its reasonable to say that as British we have a clear conscience when it comes to commiting crime.
I'll pay £50 to a charity fund for the Romany if it is reported that this is being committed by your bog standard everyday brit that does not come with the word 'minority' attached.
So you're suggesting its being done by Romanies?
Why couldn't/wouldn't it be a 'bog standard Brit' as you call them?

Anyway,serves people right for being greedy & a bit dumb.

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