Scammers are always looking for new ways to trick drivers. One of the most common tricks is faking a hit-and-run on a pedestrian. A police detective has described three fraud schemes involving people who have allegedly been hit.
What you should know
Suddenly hitting a pedestrian at an intersection is one of the most popular tricks used by criminals. A driver approaches an intersection where several vehicles are parked, partially blocking the view. Suddenly, a person runs out in front of the car and “falls” onto the hood. The scammer then begins to pretend to have suffered serious injuries to his or her health. His or her goal is to scare the driver so much that he or she is afraid to call the police for fear of criminal liability or loss of license. Instead, he or she will try to resolve the problem on the spot.
Also often used is the base on a pedestrian crossing. In this scheme, the fraudster waits until the car approaches the crossing, then the person quickly approaches the car and "accidentally" hits the outside mirror with his body. At this time, an expensive object (for example, a phone or laptop) "falls" out of his hands and breaks. The attacker immediately demands compensation for the damage caused to the goods, accusing the driver of inattention.
In addition, there is a scheme with a “hit” pedestrian while reversing. While driving in reverse, the motorist hears a dull sound and collides with a pedestrian. You can often meet a “witness” who, at first glance, wants to help the driver, but is actually part of a fraud scheme. This person advises the victim to “resolve the matter on the spot” to avoid complications.