A troubling new scam is taking advantage of kind-hearted people, and one mother, Nancy Walsh, is warning others to stay safe.
She says, “If you find a stroller, car seat, or any baby items left alone in a remote area, don’t stop. Stay safe.”
When we see baby items left by the side of the road, our first instinct is usually to stop and check if a baby or child is in danger.
Walsh, an estate agent, came across a scary situation that could be dangerous, especially for people traveling alone.
She shared pictures of a stroller left on the side of a country road. Her car was the only one around, and her headlights shone on the stroller, which was facing the opposite way, making it hard to see if anything was inside.
The stroller was placed on a grassy area next to the road, surrounded by tall trees. This kind of lonely, mysterious situation can be especially frightening.
Walsh, along with many others on social media, warns that this could be a trick. One person suggested, “Don’t stop. Always call 911 and let the police handle it.” Another said, “People may be hiding to rob you, or even hurt you.” Another commented, “Some families are desperate and might use children to set up these traps.”
This scam is designed to get someone to leave their car unattended while they check on the stroller. The scammers then steal the car, rob the person, or even hurt them.
Some people who commented on Walsh’s post said that sometimes people leave baby items on the side of the road because they are still good and want to give them away instead of throwing them away.
But most people believe that these abandoned strollers are part of a dangerous plan. One person wrote, “Someone might have set it up to see if anyone stops…” Another agreed, saying, “It’s a trap. Don’t get out. Stay in the car. Lock the doors. Call 911 right away.”
Walsh’s warning isn’t the first. One mother commented, “I’d rush out of the car to check, thanks for the heads-up.” Another person, who said they would also check, added, “This is so cruel because they’re targeting the kindest people.”
The “abandoned baby” scam is part of a bigger trend of tricking people who are just trying to help. Other similar scams involve someone pretending to be unconscious on the side of the road while others wait to attack anyone who tries to help.
Some people shared their own experiences with similar scams. One social media user wrote, “I stopped to help a man who seemed passed out on the side of the road. The police officer told me it was often a scam and, as a single woman, I should be more careful.” Another person warned, “I’ve heard of women screaming for help only to set up the same kind of trap. Just call the police and keep going.”
Walsh’s post got a lot of attention and has been shared 23,000 times. While it’s natural to want to help others in trouble, we must always be careful and avoid putting ourselves in danger.
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