Freeway gold: scam at the service station

The buzzword "highway gold" refers to a scam in which people at highway service stations or gas stations pretend to be in an emergency situation.

They ask for money and in return offer supposedly genuine gold jewelry in exchange or as a pledge. But what looks like a fair trade or even a bargain at first glance quickly turns out to be a brazen rip-off.

How the Autobahngold scam works

The scammers stand with their cars at highway service stations, gas stations or even waving at the side of federal highways. There they approach other drivers and tell them a dramatic story: Their car has broken down, the tank is empty - but unfortunately, unfortunately, they have no cash with them and their ATM or credit card is also defective.

And that's just today, when you're on your way to a birthday party, a dying grandma in hospital or another very important appointment. In any case, they urgently need money for their onward journey. As a sign of their "good will", they then offer a gold ring, necklace or bracelet as collateral or for sale - claiming that it is valuable gold jewelry. But in this emergency situation, they would sell the piece for just 100 euros or 150 euros. When it is actually worth many times that amount.
Alternatively, it is also claimed that the piece of jewelry is only being left as a pledge. You would get in touch, pay back the borrowed money with interest and then redeem the jewelry.

The gullible victims then often willingly pay cash in the hope of helping someone in need and even getting a real bargain.

Worthless jewelry as a supposed bargain

However, the jewelry on offer is always a cheap counterfeit made of base metals or gold-plated brass.
Although some pieces even bear hallmarks, stamps or engravings that are supposed to serve as proof of the authenticity of the gold jewelry, a close examination quickly reveals that even the hallmarks are fake.

The supposedly valuable gold jewelry actually has no material value worth mentioning. If you fall for it, you are left with worthless trinkets and may lose a considerable amount of money.

Beware of highway gold scammers: how to protect yourself

The highway gold trick is a very old one. Nevertheless, fraudsters try it again and again. Here's how to avoid falling for the scam:

Remain suspicious: If strangers who approach you with adventurous and heartbreaking stories, that should be a warning sign. A real emergency does not require jewelry stores at rest stops.

Do not allow yourself to be put under pressure: Fraudsters always try to pressure their victims to make quick decisions, build up time pressure and leave no time for sober reflection.

There are no gold bargains: The scam tricks you into believing that you are not only helping and doing good, but also making a bargain yourself in the process. But you can be sure: Whenever gold is offered at a supposed bargain price, it is a scam. Never buy or exchange jewelry from strangers on the street.

If you are approached in this way at a motorway service station, petrol station or parking lot, get rid of the fraudsters in a friendly but firm manner and be sure to report the attempted fraud to the police. This will help to protect other potential victims.