Con men are flagging down motorists, warn police (From Runcorn and Widnes World)
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Female motorists warned of scam
11:24am Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan
IF someone flags you down and asks for money for car repairs, it could be a scam.
Cheshire Police is warning motorists of a con trick involving men claiming to have broken down, who say they need money for fuel.
They have either asked the victims for cash so that they can buy fuel or pay for taxi fare, or offered jewellery in exchange for cash.
The men operating this scam have been working in groups and appear to be targeting lone female drivers.
The scam has been reported nationally with incidents taking place in towns and rural areas as well as motorway service stations.
Superintendent Jon Betts said: "There have been no reports of the men operating this scam using violence but they can be very intimidating to their victims.
"We ask motorists to be wary of anyone flagging them down under suspicious circumstances and would ask them to report any similar incidents to police."
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of this scam, or who sees anyone acting suspiciously, should contact Cheshire Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency or where there is a crime in progress.
