CityNews – Police have warned motorists to beware of a scam in which gangs cause minor crashes and then demand money for damages.
CityNews stock photo.
A driver will typically swerve in front of another car, causing it to shunt into the back of his vehicle, and then another car containing ‘witnesses’ will pull over, police said. The gang members will then threaten to harm the victim if he or she doesn’t hand over money.
Police said there have been several recent incidents like this in Chiang Mai and Lamphun. An account of one incident, said to have occurred last Friday on the Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road in Sarapee district, has been circulating on social media, although police said the alleged victim has yet to make an official report.
Police Major-General Montri Sampunnanon said he has ordered officials to inspect the area and look into the latest case. Anyone with information should inform the police or the Chiang Mai Provincial Land Transport Office.