Motorists warned about motorway con (From Worcester News)

Motorists warned about motorway con

4:10pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News

PEOPLE are being warned not to hand over cash to stranded motorists after a number of people were recently conned out of money.

Officers from the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) have recently received a number of reports of drivers on a stretch of the M5 and M42 near Bromsgrove going to the aid of stranded motorists who have run out of fuel or have a flat tyre.

On each occasion the stranded motorists, who have spoken with an Eastern European accent, have offered jewellery in exchange for cash to buy fuel which they agreed to pay back.

The jewellery is usually worthless and contact details are false, leaving the ‘good samaritan' out of pocket.

PC Tony Humphreys from Wythall said: "Sometimes, these scammers will have a sad story about why they need the money in order to persuade people to part with cash.

"If approached in this manner, we advise drivers not to give any money and to report the matter to the police by calling 101. We can then check if the person is genuine or not and assist them if they do have a valid problem."

Three men were arrested on Saturday, January 26 in connection with the incidents and police recovered fake jewellery, cash and business cards. No-one has been charged so far.