Warning - don't get caught by this scam whilst driving

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

This could probably happen anywhere in the world, but unfortunately it is happening at the moment in Fuerte.
Apparently (according to a friend of mine who is a Guardia Civil Traffico officer) a Romanian bloke is flagging down cars, pretending that he needs help as his vehicle has broken down. When you stop and get out of your car he (and his family that suddenly materialises) rob you. He has been spotted on various roads around the island and it may be that the Guardia have now caught up with him, but in case they haven't, please be careful. It is thought that he either has several different vehicles that he uses or there may be several different families running the same scam!

I'm not sure who took this pic but my friend showed it to me while warning me about the scam so I'm publishing it in all good faith!

[KWC]

I was a "victim" of a scam as such in France when the wife and two young kids took the ferry across to Cherbourg. As soon as we disembarked we pulled up in the car parking bays over looking the quayside. While I was in the boot getting some eats out, the wife said that there was a young girl cleaning my windscreen.

Sure enough there was this little lass about 10 year old or so, "cleaning" my windows with a dirty rag. So I told her in a nice way to leave the windows as I had a washer etc.

Back into the boot for the eats etc, when all around me, some young louts surrounded me with knuckle busters and one had a knife, saying "Meester yo av to pay de woman" or eelse!!

Never so glad to get rid of some copper change in all my life!!.  After I handed over the equivalent of about 30p or so, I told them to bugger off as that's all I had and would shout on the  Gendarme on them.  They luckily enough, accepted what I gave them and moved onto some other victim, no doubt.

Happens everywhere  i'm afraid. 

[gattaca66]

Sadly this sort of thing is becoming endemic in parts of France, and it would be a great shame if these activities gained a toe-hold in Fuerte. We used to use some of the small regular parking 'aires' just outside Calais, but they have become no-go areas for this very reason. As for Paris, you can barely visit any of the usual tourist haunts without running the gauntlet of aggressing beggars, and while you are doing that their mates are relieving you of your wallet from the other direction. The situation in France, however, is expected to improve in January.... 

[Ole Man River]

Thanks Tamara for the warning.

Spike - yes there are Romanians on the Island. We know one who has been here for years & works in a supermarket.

[beachlife]

Neighbours of mine are Romanians, have a successful business here.

[emmi]

Good to have the warning thanks.  I know a Romanian with his own business here and is a very nice person.

[Blueboy7]

Couple of ex Romanian coppers did my patio tiling, brilliant job, I believe they live on Tamaragua. The Romanian scam thats mentioned on this post was on the telly about a month ago, the title of the program was "Pickpockets". It was all based around Barcelona. The British reporters went on patrol with a couple of plain clothes Spanish police in an unmarked police car, they filmed three Romanian men pulling a scam similar to one described,  one man distracted the occupants of the car who they persuaded to get out and the other sneaked into the blind side door and stole a handbag and some other gear, they then did a runner in their own car before being apprehended.

They showed another scam were they steal the handbags and anything else lying about while couples were having it off on the beach late at night. They used a night vision camera to film one at work, the nickname for them is "Lizards" because they sneak up sliding on their bellies, it made interesting viewing, I never realised they were so many couples at it, the sand must get in some horrible places.

The frightening thing about it was, they interviewed some jailed Romanian thieves who had carried out similar car crimes and pickpocketing, the majority said they consider it a job of work and had no remorse whatsoever. They mainly get fined, and  most are back on the Spanish streets within days.

I have never seen Romanian beggars and thieves on Fuerter, but give it time, I'm sure it will happen, happy days.

[Ivemovedon]

They won't be turning up on spains doorstep as far as i can see. I was under the impresssion all foreigners including those from the EU have to have an NIE number and be registered at the police station.And you have to prove you won't be a drain on the economy as you have to provide bank account statements, income information,proof of healthcare etc. So unless you have a pension income or a job you can't legally live in Spain. As you have to provide this number for everyday living its hard to get around it. You won't see any skint roma gypsies turning up there because the Spanish are too aware of the problems these types cause. Although quite ignorant when it comes to many other more mundane things they are top of the form when it comes to looking after their own interests. Pity the Uk can't get it right.