Warning from Cambridgeshire police about driver being flagged down in roadside scam

In these incidents, a man standing besides a car stopped on the side of the road flags down a passing motorist and asks for money, explaining that he has run out of fuel or broken down for some other reason. The man offers an item of jewellery in exchange for cash, but this is often just cheap metal and of no value.

The man, and passengers in the car, may be of middle-eastern origin, speaking in broken English. In at least one of these incidents, when money was refused, the man got back in his car and drove off.

Police advise members of the public not to fall victim to this scam by handing over cash to strangers at the side of the road. If this has happened to you, please report it to the police using the 101 non-emergency number.

You can also contact ActionFraud, the UK centre for fraud and cyber crime, on 0300 123 2040.