European Road Scams Targeting Israeli Tourists Steal Passports and Valuables

Israeli tourists traveling in Europe are increasingly targeted by sophisticated roadside scams involving staged vehicle breakdowns. Criminal gangs focus on rental cars or vehicles with foreign license plates, often puncturing tires during stops at rest areas, gas stations, or parking lots. After the driver resumes driving and the tire deflates or bursts, the driver is forced to stop on the roadside. At this point, scammers quickly approach, with one distracting the driver while accomplices steal wallets, passports, phones, and valuables from inside the vehicle.

Security experts warn that tourists are particularly vulnerable due to unfamiliarity with the area, language barriers, and the stress of sudden car trouble. The scam has been reported mainly along major routes in Slovenia, Serbia, and Croatia, including the road from Zagreb to Rijeka and the Adriatic coast, but similar incidents have occurred in Italy, France, and Spain. Some cases involve technological interference such as signal jammers to prevent drivers from contacting emergency or roadside assistance services.

Authorities advise tourists to check tires carefully after any unsupervised stops and to be suspicious of strangers who appear unusually quickly after a breakdown. If a vehicle malfunctions, drivers should remain inside with doors locked, open windows only slightly for communication, and contact official roadside or police services themselves. Additionally, valuables should never be left visible inside the car, even during emergencies, as scammers exploit moments of stress to act.