A new scam exploiting the generosity of strangers has surfaced, prompting a warning from Nancy Walsh that could help you avoid danger.
Walsh’s urgent message is clear: “If you see a stroller, car seat, or any baby-related item alone in an isolated area, do not get out of your car. Stay safe.”
Typically, when we see abandoned baby equipment on the roadside, our instinct is to stop and ensure a child isn’t in danger.
Nancy Walsh with Jeff Cook Real Estate – Facebook
As an estate agent, Walsh encountered such a situation that would naturally raise alarm. She shared photos of an abandoned stroller on a deserted country road. Her car was the only one around, and her headlights illuminated the pram, which was positioned in a way that made it difficult to see if anything was inside.
The stroller was on a grassy verge beside the road, flanked by large trees, creating an eerie and unsettling scene due to the isolation and the unknowns surrounding the abandoned stroller.
Walsh and many social media users believe this is a trap. “Never get out. Always call 911 and let local authorities handle it,” one person advised. Another warned, “Yes, people lie in wait. At best they rob you, at worst they assault you.” A third commenter noted, “Some families are desperate and may use children as bait.”
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The scam typically aims to lure individuals out of their vehicles, leaving them vulnerable to theft, robbery, or physical harm.
However, some comments on Walsh’s post suggested that abandoned baby items might be left for others to use rather than discarded. Despite this, most agreed on the sinister intent behind these strollers. “Someone could have set it up to see who would stop…,” one person speculated. Another concurred, saying, “It’s a bait trap. Don’t get out. Pull over. Stay in the car. Lock the doors. Call 911 immediately.”
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Walsh’s warning is not the first of its kind.
“Oh my gosh – I would have jumped out to check, thanks for the heads-up,” one mother commented. Another added, “This is cruel because it targets the most compassionate among us.”
The ‘abandoned baby’ scam is part of a broader trend of deceitful tactics preying on kind-hearted people. Similar scams involve individuals pretending to be unconscious by the roadside, waiting to ambush those who stop to help.
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Several people shared personal experiences with such scams. “I once stopped to help a man who appeared unconscious by the road. The police officer later told me it’s often a scam and advised me, as a single woman, to be more cautious,” one social media user recounted. Another warned, “I’ve heard of women screaming for help, only to trap Good Samaritans. Just call the cops and move on.”
Walsh’s post has gained significant attention, being shared 23,000 times.
While the instinct to help those in apparent trouble is strong, it is crucial to prioritize your own safety and avoid putting yourself at risk.
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