August 11, 2022 | Tobias Stahl
Screenshot: Facebook.comA Tesla driver was able to film a scam while on vacation – on the right you can see the three stones that the scammers threw.
Fraudsters are known to be imaginative – but they don’t always count on modern technologies. This is how it came about that a German Tesla driver was recently able to film a nasty scam while on vacation in Italy.
If you are traveling by car in a foreign country, you have to pay attention to a lot of small details: special driving habits of the holiday country, differently designed traffic and information signs, unclear parking situations – and unfortunately also possible scams.
One of these scams is one that a German Tesla driver recently had to go through on his vacation in Italy. In an electric car group on Facebook, the driver describes the scam: When overtaking a vehicle in the holiday country, usually on a freeway or a motorway, there is suddenly a loud bang, whereupon the person overtaken indicates to the vehicle in front by fading, honking or wild gestures that to stop.
“When you do this,” the Facebook user said, “the person tells you you have [das überholte Auto] damaged when overtaking and he should be paid for that.. probably the person even has a ‘broken mirror’ or something.”
Apparently, the fraudsters mainly choose people with foreign license plates for this scam. The scammers are often – at least apparently – angry, loud and demand compensation in the low three-digit range, as well as heute.at reports on the scam. All too often, the tourists concerned allow themselves to be intimidated or taken by surprise into actually paying.
The small difference in this case: the Facebook user was traveling in a Tesla – the vehicle was able to film the scammers using the cameras on the outside of the vehicle. In the video, the scammers can be seen throwing small rocks at the Tesla vehicle to make the noise, which is ultimately intended to persuade tourists to stop. “I’m glad I didn’t fall for it!” Writes the Tesla driver. And: “If something like this happens to you, keep driving or call the police.”
You might also be interested in: Tests, news, purchase advice and guidebooks for everything to do with e-mobility and solar
Do you know our newsletter? Twice a week we inform you about the latest car and two-wheeler tests, useful guides and purchase advice as well as the most important news about e-mobility and solar. Subscribe to the newsletter now!
Discuss with other EFAHRER readers on Facebook or appear directly with the editors Twitter in contact. You will also find new test videos on our (still relatively new) YouTube channel – it’s best to subscribe now.