A recent troubling scam preys on the kindness of strangers, and Nancy Walsh, a mother, is spreading awareness to help you avoid falling victim.
The message she sent was urgent “If you see a stroller, car seat, or any type of baby situation alone in the middle of nowhere, please, I repeat, don’t get out. Be safe.”
Naturally, if we see any baby gear on the side of the
road, our first instinct is to stop the car and check if there is a baby or
child in need of help.
Walsh, an estate agent, encountered this potentially alarming scene that might raise concern for individuals traveling alone.
The woman shared pictures of a deserted stroller placed by the edge of a rural road. Her car seemed to be the only vehicle around, and her headlights lit up the pram. It faced away from her, so she couldn’t tell if there was anything inside.
The abandoned stroller sat on the grassy edge next to the road, surrounded by tall trees. The eerie atmosphere of the secluded location and the unknown surrounding the stroller could be quite disturbing.
Walsh and many other social media users believe that this
is a dangerous situation. One person advised, “Don’t leave your car. Instead,
call 911 and let the local authorities handle it.” Another person shared,
“There are people who wait for unsuspecting victims. They might just rob you,
or even worse, physically harm you.” Another comment mentioned, “In desperate
times, some individuals may even use children as a means to lure others into
danger.”
The supposed scam is carried out to make someone leave their vehicle unattended while they attend to the stroller. The scammers take advantage of this opportunity to steal the vehicle, rob the person, or even cause physical harm.
However, some individuals also mentioned in the comments on Walsh’s post that certain people leave baby items by the roadside because they are still in good condition and they prefer not to discard them, as someone else might find them helpful.
Many people believe the abandoned strollers are left for
a dangerous purpose. One person suggested it could be a trap to lure someone
out of their car, while another warned to stay inside and call 911 immediately.
Walsh’s warning isn’t the first one issued on the same matter.
One mom said she would quickly get out of the car to check, thanking for the warning. Another person mentioned it’s cruel to target the best of us and they would definitely check if a child was in danger.
The ‘abandoned baby’ scam is a concerning aspect of a
larger pattern of deceitful tactics targeting the generosity of compassionate
individuals. There are also other scams where someone pretends to be
unconscious on the side of the road, while accomplices lie in wait to harm
those who come to their aid.
Some individuals recounted their encounters with scams. One person mentioned stopping to assist a man on the roadside who appeared to be unconscious. A police officer cautioned them, stating that it could be a scam, especially for a single woman. Another individual shared a similar experience, advising to contact the authorities instead of getting directly involved.
Walsh’s post gathered plenty of attention and has been shared 23,000 times.
Regardless of our desire to assist those we perceive as being in trouble, it is crucial to exercise caution and ensure that we do not endanger our own lives.
Please spread this article with your loved ones on
Facebook.
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