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MANNHEIM, Germany — Motorists can run into bad luck on the road and become legitimate candidates for charity. Unfortunately, others are simply up to no good, warn officials at the U.S. Army Europe Office of the Provost Marshal.
“With the onset of summer, we again expect to see cases of people trying to defraud Americans while traveling in Europe,” said Patrick MacKenzie, USAREUR OPM law enforcement chief.
Officials said one type of common scam involves someone in a vehicle flagging down other vehicles to get money by falsely claiming to need help. This kind of approach often happens close to a barracks gate, at a highway rest stop or on a road outside a town where vehicles must move slowly.
Sometimes, the scammers offer drivers what appears to be gold jewelry as collateral so they can pay a loan back later, OPM officials said, but the rings and chains usually turn out to be worthless brass imitations.
OPM experts are warning of a second scam that involves a con artist stopping an intended victim and claiming to have run out of money at a trade fair. The scammer then offers to sell the victim his expensive goods — often jackets or coats — at a huge discount so he can buy gas to get home. But the fancy, brand-name articles are nothing but cheap fakes.
To avoid being scammed, MacKenzie recommends members of the U.S. forces community in Europe keep these tips in mind:
• Beware of distractions if you are in your car alone. Someone talking to you on the driver’s side of the car could be trying to divert your attention while a buddy steals your purse or wallet from the other side.
• Offers that sound too good to be true usually are. Articles with fancy brand names and gold jewelry are most likely cheap imitations.
• Always consider the relationship between the trouble a person claims he is in and what he is asking for. People in real need rarely ask for more than what is absolutely necessary.
• Never give large amounts of money to anyone on the road. The most anyone should need is enough to fill a tank with gas.
Officials also noted that the German automobile association, ADAC, reports that travelers should also be aware that in some regions gangs may be involved in trying to scam motorists on main highways.
The crooks, they say, generally drive large, dark sedans and try to get drivers to stop with hand gestures, flashing lights or a raised gas container. When their victim stops, they demand financial help for their families or try to sell fake jewelry. If the victim gives up little or no cash, the solicitation can turn into a robbery.
ADAC advises drivers who encounter such situations to not stop, but continue driving.
MacKenzie also advised that anyone approached in this manner write down the person’s license plate number and contact the nearest military or civil police station.
