Shopping at the supermarket and putting your bags in the trunk: nothing could be more banal. But for some time now, this everyday gesture can represent a threat.
Once a month to stock up, every week or every day… The French all shop at the supermarket. While some favor online orders or deliveries, most people go there to choose their products between the aisles of the store, and end up with the same habit: putting the bags in the trunk of the car, then putting the shopping cart back in his place before getting back behind the wheel and returning home. But this banal gesture would have become, according to the police, a threat to consumers. As was the case in Spain recently, supermarket customers could be targeted.
The police in Catalonia, Spain, are alerting the population to this scam which mainly takes place in supermarket parking lots. Several suspects were arrested in the Manresa region, but the phenomenon is growing and could take place in other public places such as shopping centers, gas stations or public transport parking lots.
An awareness video was even published to explain the modus operandi of the criminals. So how do they go about it and what should you watch out for? Concretely, when you open the trunk of the car and load your shopping bags into the car, a stranger approaches you to gently warn you that you have dropped something. By reflex, you will be tempted to lean over to check… And it is at this precise moment that a second accomplice (and discreet) person will take the opportunity to access the front of your vehicle to seize your belongings personal: phone, wallet, keys, handbag, etc.
To avoid being trapped, it is advisable to lock your doors when putting away your shopping, or to keep all personal belongings with you. Above all, you should remain vigilant when a person approaches you, especially if they seem too friendly. Becoming more and more suspicious is unfortunately the consequence of the multiplication of these scams of all kinds which also have no borders.
