How Highway Scam Mechanics Operate

I’d prefer to call them “Highway Bandits”. These individuals have little or no training in automobile repair. You’ll see them lurking in most inter-state highways in Nigeria. As cunning and dangerous as they are, we need to be careful when confronted with them.

If you notice someone trying to stop you pointing at your car in an alarming manner, you may have encountered them. Unsuspecting drivers will pull over and that’s when they will start:

1.) Your oil is leaking: This is the most common tactic of these con men. They’ve been known to spray oil or drip it under a vehicle when you are not looking claiming that it’s leaking from the traveler’s car. If you fall for this ploy, then you will have to replace parts that are not faulty. Since modern automobiles are complex, highly technical machines. The average person has no idea how to know what is wrong. Putting you in a desperate situation, they will make you spend money that you wouldn’t have spent ordinarily.

2.) Your tyre is leaking: Theses bandits have been known to place sharp metallic snippets on the road to puncture traveler’s tyres. If they don’t succeed to puncture the tyres before the vehicle stops, they will cleverly puncture the tyres when you are not seeing–these people are very good at this. Then you are lured into buying new tyres at twice the market value.

3.) Your water hose is leaking: Another tactic is to rupture the water hose causing your car to overheat. When you allow these people to open your hood, they will cut open your water hose since this is the easiest and quickest part to reach. Then again you will end up buying a new water hose.

4.) Your fan belt is cut: The same way they rupture your water hose, they will cut your fan belt.

Their aim is to focus on the danger the traveler faces if they drive off without making the repairs and often charge inflated prices. The best way to handle these bandits is:

i.) when strangers along the road are alarming or trying to flag you down while you are on the move, ignore them but observe your car closely. When you get to a safe distance, pull over and check your vehicle. Some of these individuals may be more dangerous than con men so be cautious.

ii.) if by anyway you can’t avoid them, again be on your guard. If you have someone else in the car, make them pay close attention to these people while you cautiously look out on the other end since these bandits don’t work alone–they use other members to distract you.

About Nonso Okafor

I've worked as a technical support representative in major auto centers in Nigeria for more than twenty years. I have dealt with a variety of problems in my capacity as a customer service representative and auto diagnostics expert. I'm committed to assisting people in properly maintaining their automobiles and in appreciating this magnificent innovation known as an automobile.

Check Also

Nigerian Mechanics: Revealing the Terrible Truth Behind Car Damage

A worrying trend has been noticed in Nigeria’s busy streets, where cars are necessary for …

One comment

  1. We are not safe

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.