Press
For many travelers to Spain, their vacation route takes them via the A7. The motorway near Barcelona is increasingly becoming a playground for gangs of thieves – and their tricks are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Barcelona – Summer, sun, sea and scams: Holidaymakers in Spain have to be prepared for a new scam on the way to their holiday destination. And it works like this: When filling up, the travelers are distracted and their wallets are quickly gone. Recently, tourists have increasingly been robbed in the middle of the highway. The Foreign Office warns.
Robbery on Spanish highways: This is how the criminals operate
A 41-year-old Upper Austrian on the way from Linz to Barcelona was recently a victim of the scam. Like the Austrian one Krone newspaper reported last week, con artists stopped the woman’s car in the middle of the highway. One of the men distracted the 41-year-old, the other searched the car and stole the valuables. “I was stopped in the middle of the highway and robbed,” the traveler reports Crown.
Not an isolated case: The Foreign Office warns along the Spanish motorways, but especially on the A7 between the French-Spanish border station of La Jonquera and Barcelona, from attacks on tourists. He also said that being pushed aside by other road users on the motorway is a criminal approach Austrian transport club ÖAMTC in April last year with.
Con artists on Spanish highways point out supposed tire punctures
The fraudsters have other variations of this trick up their sleeves. In many cases, an alleged or intentional puncture is involved. “Those affected are informed of alleged or actual damage to the vehicle by one or two vehicles driving at the same height, often with a German or other foreign license plate, by honking or throwing stones, and “assistance” is offered,” said the Foreign Office. The criminals often slash the tires themselves if the holidaymaker’s car is left unattended for a few minutes or hours – for example at a rest stop.
After a few kilometers of driving, the tourists’ car shows a flat tire. “Then you stop at the hard shoulder and want to inspect the damage. As soon as you leave the vehicle, a vehicle with a Spanish license plate appears and you are robbed,” the ÖAMTC summarizes the procedure. Another variation of the Con artists is the theft at a gas station. The procedure is always similar: one person distracts, the other steals. The A7 around Barcelona in particular is notorious for organized gangs of thieves – and has been for many years.
This is how holidaymakers can protect themselves: stay calm, stay in the vehicle and continue driving if possible
- Holidaymakers should ideally keep their money, ID cards and driving licenses separate from each other and make digital copies.
- Tourists should not carry unnecessary valuables or too much cash with them. Cashless payment is safer.
- The Foreign Office advises that under no circumstances should you stop on the hard shoulder, but rather continue driving to the next gas station or busy rest stop.
- If there are any inconsistencies: call the emergency number 112 and describe the incident.
- Never leave valuables visible in the vehicle.
- Always lock your car – even if you are traveling as a couple.
- If possible, do not leave the vehicle unattended.
- If there is actually a breakdown, vacationers should make sure that the tow truck called is an official vehicle. In addition, according to the ÖAMTC, they should not leave the vehicle.
- Anyone who is alerted to possible damage to the vehicle by other road users while driving should stay in the vehicle, remain calm and preferably continue the journey.
- If you have any doubts about the condition of your vehicle, you should find a workshop nearby.
Source: ÖAMTC, Federal Foreign Office
(bme)
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