Police warn Americans of roadside scam artists

German police are warning Americans in the Kaiserslautern and Ramstein areas to beware of motorists who appear to be stranded. These motorists are oftentimes only trying to lure people into buying cheap jewelry.

Police said these supposed stranded drivers are flagging down American drivers on surface streets near U.S. military posts in Southern and Western Rheinland-Pfalz.

“Car drivers who stop in order to help will be offered in the course of the conversation jewelry of which the con man says is of high quality,” said Wolfgang Denzer, a Westpfalz police spokesman. “The reality looks different. The assumed precious jewelry is basically nothing other than trash.”

The scam artists may become quite aggressive when trying to persuade people to buy their jewelry, according to a police press release.

Drivers who see such motorists should not stop to help, and should instead inform the local police.

(Courtesy of Westpfalz Police Headquarters)