France Warning.

[Deleted member 3057]

We have just returned from a great trip to south west France.
Whilst travelling there and back we saw people in Romanian registered cars trying to flag down other vehicles (including us) !

So be aware of this and don't fall for this trick.

I guess they did'nt want to give us money!

Perhaps sell us some pegs or read our palms?

 

[guerdeval]

Just as bad in Italy except mostly on foot begging in the Cities

 

[DRS]

Their such assets to the countrys they infect I'm not sure why we don't encourage more of them here.

 

[coventrycraig]

dont worry, we already heve them in Coventry.

got a nice free house etc...

maybe the goverment should give them campervans.


Craig

 

[Hallii]

Hello all, my first post! Do I get a medal now )

The scams to try and get you to stop are constantly evolving. They usually involve some sort of play act to convince you to stop.

These include everything from imitation Police (in Spain) to "dead" man in the road (France). The most common is the "breakdown" or "out of petrol" scam, they will try and wave you down. They have been known to use a set of UK plates (probably nicked) to elicit sympathy to a poor fellow UK traveller.

The "something wrong with your vehicle" is another way to try and stop you.

But they also operate when you are stationary, I have had the "my battery is dead, can I have a jump start (they have a set of leads)" As soon as you lift the bonnet they will be inside your camper like lightning.

Never stop, if you are not sure if it's a real policeman drive on to the next filling station or public area and ring them. Drive at the dead man accelerating as hard as you can, watch them come to life!

Geoff

 

[888dee]

Hallii, that really scares me, are these sort of things really that common?

 

[veedubinfrance]

It happens, but in 7 years of living and travelling in France I have only experienced it once.

Dave

 

[Belgian]

Another trick:
they bump (slightly) into your rear; and when you get out to see what happened another one sneaks in and disapears with your van in no time.
Allways the same east European scum ,all over the continent and beyond.
Beware for all types with not really 'aboriginal' looks

 

[urbtaf]

Just got back from a wedding in Cypress, no lucky lucky men, no timeshare touts,nobody trys to pull you into the bars ect, you can leave the car windows open and nobody touches it.
When I asked why, I was told that the prisons are like something out of the middle ages, and had I met the local police yet. I met 2 the next day when I parked where I should not have!!!! SCARY
Maybe we should learn something from them.
Wont be going again though, too many hidden extras on the bills. very expencive