 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| turms2 wrote: |
Attacks on vehicles in road traffic, e.g. from mopeds, are reported in particular from the regions Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and the eastern part of the Occitanie region. In addition, activities of organised gangs are recorded at rest areas.
Is that so? Ok,
Is it in France worse als in the other countries? And what are the organised gangs ? where are we ? in Tijuana ?   |
That advice is true but it doesn't mean that you will be attacked at every rest area. You have more risk of stepping in human poo at rest areas than getting ripped-off.
If you have stuff visible in your car: bags, cameras, wallets it is possible that you will be attacked. The doors of my car have an autolock feature which I have enabled as it is a risk in French towns and everything goes in the boot. It is a risk at traffic junctions and from people on mopeds. I know people who have had windows broken and bags stolen from their cars at lights, more likely if you have foreign plates.
There is a danger of car jacking at rest areas and other criminality. A tactic is to distract a driver and for an accomplice to steal the car. Never leave keys in the ignition when outside of the car, even if just filling up with fuel. Again I know people who this has happened to. Another risk are criminals causing accidents and stealing your car while you argue on the roadside. You also get fake police.
In general the criminals are Eastern europeans: Albanians, Serbs. Gypsies and North Africans. The Roma have lots of scams going, most of which are so ridiculous you see straight through them.
I cannot say if it is worse than other countries.
| Quote: |
To choose their targets, the thieves set their sights on a vehicle that is driving. Then, they discreetly chase the motorist until he stops on a motorway rest area or at a toll station.
This is when the scammers start to act. They take advantage of the stoppage of passengers to cause a puncture on the right rear tire of the vehicle without the motorists present in the car not realizing anything. It is often the crook on the passenger side who takes care of this part
The thugs then continue on their way by following the vehicle with the deflated tire until the target car stops. As tire deflation takes place gradually, it may take several minutes. When the targeted vehicle finally stops, the crooks intervene. First, one of them kindly offers to help fix the deflated tire. Focused on the breakdown, the motorist does not pay attention to the accomplice of the person who comes to his aid. It was then that the latter took the opportunity to steal bags, money or any other valuables present in the car. Again, the criminals are very fast
|
| Quote: |
By Ambre Deharo
Even on vacation, it is better not to lower your guard and remain cautious. Tourists taking the wheel and stopping in particular on motorway service areas are beginning to understand why. In the south of France, near Toulouse, several holidaymakers have been victims of a scam, called "Irish scam". The phenomenon actually appeared last year, but the victims are still more and more numerous, according to the site actu.fr. So much so that the Haute-Garonne gendarmerie warns those who decide to stop at the motorway rest areas in the region.
On social networks, the gendarmerie therefore details the concept of this particularly well thought-out scam: "Once you arrive with a wife and children at a motorway service area, a man or a woman comes to accost you in impeccable English, the looking haggard, obviously in shock. The false victim then explains to you that she and her family have just been completely robbed by a few unscrupulous thieves. Thus, the head of the family no longer has the possibility of returning to the country and asks you then to help him, via the advance of your share of cash”
The thugs have even implemented a strategy to lull the doubts of seasoned and suspicious vacationers. So the number plate of the lonely family's vehicle is indeed British, the steering wheel of the car is on the right and the hustlers don't seem particularly needy. They even give their prey an address, a telephone number as well as photos of the theft suffered a little before. A scheme which, in general, is enough to convince the prey of the good faith of the scammer.
In an attempt to stop the progression of this scam which, in addition to Haute-Garonne, is beginning to develop in other regions of France, the gendarmerie would like to remind you that "if such a mishap seemed to take shape on a motorway rest area (or elsewhere)", the only solution is to warn the local authorities, indicates actu.fr. "Thus, if they are real victims, the police will know how to help them".
|
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 5-07-23 10:30; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
It was the same in Spain when I lived there. The problem moves around Europe away from enforcement and appears to be seasonal. I would tend to use the stops with lots of facilities when it is busy rather than the remote aire.
Also watch out for people pointing at your tyres when you are on the move, suggesting a puncture. A colleague had this in Spain, initially thinking it was police in a plain car. On closer inspection “they appeared like actors in a 70s porn film” at which point he drove off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| chocksaway wrote: |
It was the same in Spain when I lived there. The problem moves around Europe away from enforcement and appears to be seasonal. I would tend to use the stops with lots of facilities when it is busy rather than the remote aire.
Also watch out for people pointing at your tyres when you are on the move, suggesting a puncture. A colleague had this in Spain, initially thinking it was police in a plain car. On closer inspection “they appeared like actors in a 70s porn film” at which point he drove off. |
Yes, had that exact thing happen in north east spain many years ago. I pulled up at a roundabout (in my UK car) and a moped went past and stopped in front and dropped something. While they were picking it up I was distracted and didn't notice their accomplice on another moped stab the rear tyre with a knife. A short distance later the second moped starts pointing to my car indicating a puncture.
I didn't stop immediately but found a suitable place to change the wheel and some guys came over and said they knew a garage where it could be fixed. I said I didn't need any help; I could change the wheel myself (also they were slightly confused that I had a UK car but could speak Spanish) and disappeared but later I realized in that short time they had manage to take my wallet that I had left on top of a bag in the passenger seat where the door was open. They were very quick and I didn't notice how they did this (it's all a distraction, they get you to look at one of them while the other one is out of view robbing you).
It wasn't a great loss - I immediately cancelled all the cards and got the cash back on my insurance and also the tyre replacement but still really annoying.
It was very commonplace in that area at the time, I met some French people in the tyre depot who had had exactly the same experience.
I wouldn't fall for the same trick again. I would just drive off, knocking them off their bikes in the process if necessary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Yes all this scams are familiar to me....the scum with the tyres is really old.
About the other scam with the "poor" family, well i come from Greece. Unfortunately in Greece the scams with poor families, disableg kids etc are so familiar that nowadays in North Europe i trust NOBODY. And i mean it. A couple of times come the police to our building and i didnt open the door until i phoned the polce department to assure that the send a patrol....
And of course not leaving walltes, cameras etc near windows etc is also in my knowledge.
This is common logic.
But the word Gangs made me other thoughts. I thought something worse with guns etc
Any advice where to make a stop? which are the safest places in France higways ? Definitely not in remote areas etc.
But e.g. make a stop at mcdonalds in albertville is too risky?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| turms2 wrote: |
Any advice where to make a stop? which are the safest places in France higways ? Definitely not in remote areas etc.
But e.g. make a stop at mcdonalds in albertville is too risky? |
You almost certainly won't have any problems, anywhere, but I would reiterate to not leave anything visible in the car at McDonalds or anywhere else and to try to keep your car in eyesight if you have anything like bikes on the roof etc. Foreign plated cars are always a tempting target and Albertville is a pretty scummy town - although largely confined to drug traffiking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hm...ok , thanks for the reply.
Well in Summer we dont have something like bikes etc, and as you said i do not live anything visible.
That is not only for France but almost everywhere.
But this about Albertville ... ok, had no idea.
Probably i will make a stop somewhere in Switzerland (Albertville is to far from our house) so i will make the road from the Swiss Borders till tignes without a stop over, but gut to know
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| turms2 wrote: |
Probably i will make a stop somewhere in Switzerland (Albertville is to far from our house) so i will make the road from the Swiss Borders till tignes without a stop over, but gut to know |
It is like most of the alpine valley towns, lots of "racaille" hanging around who might be tempted by an easy target but it is hardly Rio. There was some minor rioting in Albertville last week but it was stamped out pretty quickly, the dealers probably told the rioters that it was bad for business and they'd better stop if they know what is good for them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
@turms2, I think davidof has got the balance right. My understanding has always been that the kind of issues you're highlighting are far more common the nearer you get to Marseille. There was a "hit" on a British family in Annecy in 2012 that is still unsolved but in general I think this kind of thing is not common in the more northern Alpine areas. I could believe it of parts of Lyon but you have no reason to go there; the places you're likely to stop are effectively small towns and rural areas.
I would think the kind of scams highlighted above are much more likely in the big service areas on the busy autoroutes with restaurants and fuel available and where you may have to park your car 2-300m away from the building because it's so busy. I've slept for an hour or so in many aires (rest stops) on the way to and from the alps over the years and I deliberately do choose the quieter ones with just toilets and a picnic area. I feel that those are the ones that just attract families and solo travellers (like me), an organised gang would stand out a mile. Never been approached by anyone but I keep the engine running to stay warm so could drive straight off anyway if anyone tried anything.
Albertville has two McDonalds and I wouldn't worry about either of them. They both have drive-thrus anyway if you're really concerned. The biggest one is on the same car park where the Geant hypermarket and several other big stores and restaurants are - they're high visibility places for a gang to try and operate and there are usually Gendarmes wandering about. Pick pockets or opportunist theft perhaps, same as anywhere, but I think organised car theft scams are unlikely.
I know far more people that have had their skis nicked in the Alps than have ever had anything taken from their car!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We've left our fully loaded motorhome parked up for the afternoon in and around Albertville many times over the years. Never worried about it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
