In 2025, scams with fake traffic accidents took off. Elderly drivers are the main victims. Places without video surveillance are a favorite for fraudsters. Crimes preferably occur between 10am and 4pm.
The PSP registered 853 complaintsin five years, from traffic accident scams.
According to figures released by , these cases skyrocketed last year: there were 78% more compared to the previous year.
The morning newspaper warns of the growing number of groups specializing in the ‘fake traffic accident’ scam.
Os elderly people are the main victims. According to the PSP, the majority of victims are between 70 and 79 years of age (40%), followed by those aged 80 or over (39%).
Normally, They are told that they ‘touched’ the fraudster’s carwhich convinces victims to resolve the issue situation at the moment and in cashto avoid future ‘annoyances’, even offering to accompany people to the ATM.
There are those who come to simulate phone calls with workshopspretending to be asking budget for vehicle repairto give credibility.
As the CM details, after the supposed ‘touch’ – which often occurs during maneuvers parkingalmost always reverse -, fraudsters manipulate, coerce, apply psychological pressure or, at the limit, physically intimidate the victim.
Where are the mousetraps?
Be in parking lotsnext to treadmillsor on a normal road, all places will do, as long as they are not very busy and without video surveillance.
Recently, there have been fake run overin which the fraudsters throw themselves on the victims’ car, claiming that they were run over.
The fraudsters always refuse any intervention from authorities or insurance.
According to the CM, this type of crime occurs preferably between 10am and 4pm.
