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[Rocket_fan]

[size=medium]http://www.herts.police.uk/crimedatabase/site/content.php?article_id=7868 [color=rgb(0, 0, 0)]POLICE are issuing a warning to motorists not to fall for an alleged scam in which a motorist asks to borrow money from other drivers and then hands over fake jewellery as ‘security’. There have been two reported incidents around the London Colney/St Albans area. The first incident occurred at around midday on Sunday, January 24. A driver was coming off the A405 onto the sliproad at the junction with the M25 in St Albans. On entering the sliproad, he was flagged down by a smartly-dressed man in a vehicle, who did not speak very good English. He said he was trying to get to Dover for a business meeting but didn’t have enough money. The well-meaning motorist has then followed the suspect to a petrol station in Kings Langley, where he withdrew a sum of money and handed it over. The suspect handed over what appeared to be a quantity of jewellery as security on the understanding that he would be repaid. However, when the motorist went back to the petrol station at a later time to get his money back, the suspect has failed to turn up. The jewellery was later found to be worthless. The suspect was travelling in a grey Ford car, possibly a Mondeo or Escort. Another man was in the vehicle. The first man is described as being olive or dark skinned with short dark hair and long sideburns. He was wearing a dark pinstriped suit and long black overcoat. The second man had grey hair and was believed to be wearing a pink tie. The second incident occurred at around 5.30pm on Sunday, February 21 in Bell Lane, London Colney. A woman motorist spotted a man by a silver Mercedes flagging down cars by the side of the road. The lady pulled over and was told that the man and his passengers (a man, a woman and two children) needed money for petrol. He asked her for £20 and offered her gold jewellery as security before taking down her details so he could return the cash at a later date. She followed the Mercedes to a local petrol station whereupon a further man appeared and tried to sell her more jewellery for cash. She then felt something was amiss and phoned a friend for advice. While she was doing this, the Mercedes drove off. The first man is described as being tall and dark-skinned, with short dark hair. He was wearing a navy pinstriped suit and possibly is a smoker. The second man had dark brown hair and possibly a moustache. The third man had a beard. Detective Sergeant Eddy Phillips said: “While these drivers have both been well-meaning and attempted to be Good Samaritans helping people they thought were in difficulties, it appears they may have been the victims of a scam. “We would just like to warn other motorists to be aware. If someone is in genuine difficulty, they should call for roadside assistance, or if appropriate, call the police non-emergency number for advice. In an emergency, always call 999.”[/color][/size] http://www.herts.police.uk/crimedatabase/site/content.php?article_id=7868

[Hatfield Girl]

This is not an 'alleged scam' it is happening.
 
Also watch out for what is known as 'Dipper' offences.  This is where someone distracts you whist someone else steels your purse/wallet and often happens after they have seen you use your PIN number - they steel the card and head straight for the cash point.
 
Another scam is when they come up behind people using a cash point, wait until the PIN is entered and then distact them, often by dropping money on the floor and asking if it's yours.  Whilst one is distracting you, another is withdrawing cash from your account.
 
Moral of this story: ALWAYS cover the keypad when you enter your PIN whether it be at a checkout or a cash point.

[Geoff]

All of which proves there really is one born every minute.
 
I don't disbelieve the story but it really does beggar belief that people could actually fall for something like that.

[markwoods39]

This happened to me about 5 yrs ago at a petrol station on the M2. This chap came up to me offering a ring worth £500 as he needed to get to Dover and only wanted £50 for it. I told him I have seen this ring on our local market for £2,wrong move he got all aggressive with me! but I stood my ground and never gave in.DON'T DO THIS YOURSELF.

If you get offered anything just say you have no cash on you or in the bank.Must say this was the first and last time it has happened to me. Don't forget the watches scam ! they sell with a price ticket on them for $500 and only worth £2/£3 each

[Anne]

I don't disbelieve the story but it really does beggar belief that people could actually fall for something like that.

R-fan's story is straight from the police's mouth... I got one too!

[GhostTown68]

The jewellry scam, just like the old 'potatoes in a laptop' scam gives me mixed feelings - terrible yes that people are pulling the scams anyway, but who falls for them and why?! Whereas the jewellry one is more stupidity than stupidity as well as greed, you still have to wonder how these people manage to dress themselves in the morning!

[Geoff]

I don't disbelieve the story but it really does beggar belief that people could actually fall for something like that.

R-fan's story is straight from the police's mouth... I got one too!

As I said I don't disbelieve the story. How anyone can fall for such a scam however is incomprehensible to me.  I'm with Ghost Town on this one. It's amazing some people can even navigate themselves out of bed, never mind dress themselves.

[ImanS]

This happened to me about 5 yrs ago at a petrol station on the M2. This chap came up to me offering a ring worth £500 as he needed to get to Dover and only wanted £50 for it. I told him I have seen this ring on our local market for £2,wrong move he got all aggressive with me! but I stood my ground and never gave in.DON'T DO THIS YOURSELF.

If you get offered anything just say you have no cash on you or in the bank.Must say this was the first and last time it has happened to me. Don't forget the watches scam ! they sell with a price ticket on them for $500 and only worth £2/£3 each

This has been a regular occurrence in Ilford (Essex) where my parents live. Try not to aggravate them as they can be violent. There were incident whereby a attempt to scam turned into a violent robbery. I am sure those reading this thread will know by now to not fall for this. If this happens to you, do not accept the -fake-gold and report this.