### Report of “Crash Scams” on Vía Rápida Poniente
Everardo Herrera, a 61-year-old resident of San Diego, became a victim of a “crash scam” on Wednesday, August 7th, shortly after crossing the border into Tijuana and driving on Vía Rápida Poniente.
“Between 2:30 and 3:00 PM, I was driving from San Diego to Tijuana. I took Vía Rápida, and before passing the Federal Penal Justice Center, I felt a light bump that moved my car,” Herrera explained.
When Herrera pulled over, he noticed that the other vehicle had two occupants: a male driver and a female passenger. He mentioned the necessity of contacting their insurers and municipal police experts, but the passengers of the other vehicle declined.
“I told the person who rear-ended me that we needed to report the incident, but he argued that I had cut in front of him. My car was almost intact, but their bumper was hanging off,” Herrera recalled. “The woman began taking pictures and insisted that involving the police would only complicate matters.”
A few minutes later, the other parties contacted their insurance company and moved their vehicle. The female passenger claimed that repairs would cost 19,000 pesos. “I told them I didn’t have that amount, so they said they would call C4. I was too tired to think straight and ended up showing them my license and documents, eventually paying 13,800 pesos,” Herrera said.
This incident isn’t isolated; other citizens have reported similar scams. The local authorities recommended that drivers stay inside their vehicles after an incident and call for police support through the emergency number 911 or use the emergency button application.
##### Additional Information on “Crash Scams”
#### Rising Trend of ‘Crash Scams’
Reports of ‘crash scams’ have been on the rise in various cities. These scams involve orchestrated car accidents where fraudsters provoke a collision and then demand compensation from the innocent driver, often threatening to escalate the matter to authorities or involving fake insurance agents to intimidate the victim into paying.
Recent news articles highlight several cases similar to Everardo Herrera’s experience. One notable instance involves a driver in Los Angeles who was similarly scammed out of $2,000. The scam perpetrator followed the same pattern: creating a minor collision, intimidating the driver, and coercing them into immediate payment for alleged damages.
The surge in these scams has led law enforcement agencies to issue advisories to the public. They recommend staying inside the vehicle, documenting the scene with photographs, and immediately contacting the police to handle the situation. Authorities also urge victims to report any suspicious behavior related to car accidents to prevent further extortion cases.
By staying vigilant and informed, drivers can protect themselves from becoming victims of such fraudulent schemes. It’s crucial to never admit fault or agree to cash transactions on the spot without proper verification and involvement from legitimate authorities.