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Fuel is getting more expensive — and now, more targeted by scammers. Credit: jakubgojda via Canva.com
In France, this scam has fooled 3,000 people. Since January 2025 victims have been left with fake bills, skimming fraud and worse yet, reported theft. The scam is easy to pull off, fast and designed for you to lose your senses. Now it’s headed south towards Spain.
The authorities in Spain and Portugal are alerted to petrol stations located near the border and are closely monitoring the streets. It’s not high-tech, but it thrives off of destruction, speed and misplaced faith. There are still questions about why the scam is spreading and how you can avoid being the next victim.
How scams work
No, it is a scam that takes place quickly, usually in less than one minute. You are usually filling up the tank when a person approaches you. The person will say that they have a problem such as having left their wallet or card at home.
They need €5 or €10 worth of fuel to get home, and they’re willing to give you cash directly. They may even fuel their car while they talk, to make it appear legitimate.
- This note is fakeIt is often counterfeit currency or old money.
- Some cases they are Don’t give anything away at all — rely on speed and pressure.
- Some people interact with the system to skim your card Use a disguised reader Remember your PIN “Helping” is a good thing.
- You may have to fill up their tank if they leave you behind.
There are also variations where loan drivers, particularly women, are targeted at night in service areas that have poor lighting. These tactics are a mix of low-level fear and urgency to get you to pay quickly.
It works because the scam bypasses suspicion. The credit doesn’t look like it, it looks like someone is asking for assistance, and this is exactly what happens.
France’s warning – 3,000 cases and counting
France has numbers that are difficult to ignore. Since January 2025, police in France have received approximately 3,00 complaints about petrol-station scams.
Now most of them do involve small amounts ranging from €5 to €10, but the volume suggests a coordinated pattern rather than just isolated events.
The French Gendarmerie Nationale Multiple departments have warned that scammers usually work in pairs. The scammers switch vehicles often and aim stations at peak travel times. This would include weekends, holidays and evenings.
Some scams went beyond simple cash fraud:
- Card skimming As well as contactless payments theft, it has also been reported.
- In rare cases, The drivers are verbally or visually harassed for refusing to assist.
Authorities have increased surveillance in hotspots and other places of interest. Hauts-de-France The following are some examples of how to get started: Occitanie. In some stations, patrols have increased and cameras installed to alert of any suspicious activity.
- Investigators are most concerned about the ease of the investigation, not the size.
- This scam does not require any kind of technology.
- Just a little hesitation is all it takes from someone who wants to do the right things.
Why Spain could be the next?
Spain is not immune. In fact, it could be next. Although the French Gendarmerie is yet to confirm if cross-border arrests have been made, reports in Portugal and Catalonia suggest similar scams may be beginning to emerge.
The Portuguese media has warned that drivers heading to Spain in late 2024 should be aware of the Estafa de los Five Euros, particularly when they encounter unmanned pumping stations and rest areas close to the border.
In the past, scams that originated in France and spread quickly to Spain included ATM fraud, contactless skiing, and tollbooth theft. Fuel stations are now the new frontier.
This scam does not involve violence, is low-value and can be dismissed as a misunderstanding. It is relatively easy to keep these incidents hidden until the trend becomes unmistakable.
Protect yourself
This scam relies on confusion, empathy and distraction. How to control the pump without making every trip a standoff
- Stick to attendant pump When possible, avoid stations with staff visible or surveillance.
- Refuse all cash For a card request no matter how small, suggest to someone that if they are truly in need, they should speak with the station person
- It is a good idea to use a different language.The terminal is a good place to start. Before inserting your card make sure to check for signs of tampering and extra plastic layers. You can also use loose card slots.
- Cover your PIN Shield your screen while entering these details.
- Use prepaid terminals Applications that allow you to pay for your car using your credit card.
- Keep records Any suspicious interaction should be documented and reported to the police.
These scams can be easily perpetrated and are inexpensive, but are intended to be repeated, so that awareness is not enough.
France has seen how fast these schemes are emerging, and now it is time for Spain stay ahead. But only if we listen, speak out, and stop assuming that silence means safety.
