05/2014 - Car Scam in Puerto Plata

[Seville]

Everyone should be very aware when driving in Puerto Plata. On two previous occasions Dominicans attempted to scam me while driving. They throw something at your car or under it so you hear some kind of bang or other noise. Then they pull up to you telling you they saw something fall off your car or whatever. Of course they know a mechanic that can fix the issue and are only too happy to help you. The first time this happened the guy even looked under my car and came out holding a part that "fell off". The part was not from my car. In both instances I just told them to go away.

That brings us to Tuesday. I went to Puerto Plata early in the AM. I was going to the Ministry of Health to see about getting a couple of shots prior to my Africa trip. Almost as soon as I turned on the the malecon I noticed a SUV following me. To be certain I slowed and sped up several different times and it stayed right with me. When I turned at the fire station the SUV turned with me. So I made another left and it followed. Then I made two more lefts which brought me back out on the malecon. I no longer saw the SUV. I drove down the malecon a few blocks and then turned around to come back.

I turned at the fire station and went up the street and made a right turn. I parked on the street. I did not see the SUV. Went into the building but it didn't take more than 15 minutes to figure out that getting the shots there was going to be too much hassle. I did notice a Dominican guy standing next to me when the woman was trying to explain all the BS I had to go through to get the shots. That BS included going to another place a few street over and getting a blood analysis prior to getting the shot.

I returned to my car and the friendly Dominican drove up next to me just as I was going to start the car. He was motioning for me to follow him; as in he would show me where I needed to go for the analysis. But I was just returning to Sosua and I ignored him. Then when I turned the key to start the car nothing happened. I had power but nothing happened.

[Seville]

I got out and popped the hood and, miracle of miracles, the friendly Dominican came walking back to help me. I told him to go away several times. Then I got on the phone and called my mechanic in Sosua. He said he would be there in about 90 minutes. Closed the hood and got back in the car. I was pissed. I knew exactly what had happened. Then the Dominican and his buddy came driving by one last time trying to reel me in with their offer of assistance. I just waved them off. I wanted to give them the finger or, better yet, shoot them dead but nothing to gain from that.

The mechanic finally shows up and the alternator belt was cut but that would not stop the car from starting. It only takes him a minute before he finds this:

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=98350&d=1398998484

They had cut some kind of sensor wires going to the transmission or whatever. The result was that my car did not "know" it was in PARK and it wouldn't start. He ran to the store and replaced the belt and bought a piece of wire. He used the wire to bypass whatever and the car started. He told me to shift it manually (it is an automatic) and drive straight to his shop. If I shut it off it would not restart. Got back to his place and left the car. It was about 3000 pesos to have it fixed. Bastards.

The first two times the scam was attempted they did not damage my car. This time they waited until I parked and then fucked my car up.

Be extremely careful if you have to be driving in PUerto Plata. I talked to another guy today and they tried to scam him this morning but didn't damage anything. I'm done driving in Puerto Plata unless absolutely necessary.

[whynotme]

ok who's husband have you pissed off:wink::corky::rofl:

[Seville]

ok who's husband have you pissed off:wink::corky::rofl:

Couldn't have been a Dominicana's husband. I haven't fucked a Dominicana in almost two years (blow jobs don't count).:smile:

[JD426]

Did they throw The hard fruit or whatever it was, while you were driving up a HILL by any chance ? That seems to be their favorite M O... I think so the fruit rolls downhill and you dont see what they threw so easily that was my guess.
Cuz The tried that shit on me almost exactly a year ago, going to POP (puerto Plata city, not the airport, i was past the airport) from Sosua as I recall. I dont remember the exact spot but its a STEEP HILL.

. I thought i commited some Faux pas by going too slow up the hill, they pull up as if to pass, to get a view of you, then they back up into position again, then they pull up as if to pass again and throw something.. it hit the side of the car, I saw the guy throw it from the side mirror..
Pulled over but stayed in the car.. waved them off. they came out and started walking towards me like they wanna help talking some shit like " oh we just want to HELP, you think all Dominicans are THIEVES" in spanish.
As I recall they said one of my TIRES was VERY LOW + something FELL off.. like ok ..LOL .. I only been working on cars since i was like 16, these Douche bags gonna teach me about cars and how shit just happens to fall off, and you just happen to throw something at my car.... LOL


I laughed at them and they took off..2 of them, NOT good..probably looking to ROB but if you dont get out of the car, they not gonna chance it.

This is almost Like a childs prank really, we used to throw snowballs at cars when we were what,, like 12 years old.

but these Fuckers are taking it to another Level now cutting wires when you were parked ??
.. fucking douchebags.. Hope they get whats coming to them trying this shit on the wrong person one day.

[WickedWillie]

Hope they get whats coming to them trying this shit on the wrong person one day.

These wankers been doing this shit for years.

This is the point, although they are dumb pond scum Dominicans with intelligence levels less than an amoeba, they will not get what is coming to them because they will not attack the wrong person.

They specifically target susceptible individuals like an older gringo driving alone or a gringo couple, as per when you had your incident.

And they do this because they can see into the vehicle, who is driving and who else is inside.

The ONLY way to prevent this is to have darkened tinted windows ALL ROUND and keep the windows up. (for some this may mean getting the A/C fixed..right Seville:rofl:)

Then the baddies cannot see clearly who is in the vehicle so will never take a chance that it may be some heat packing narco with his crew.

[balcoach]

These wankers been doing this shit for years.

This is the point, although they are dumb pond scum Dominicans with intelligence levels less than an amoeba, they will not get what is coming to them because they will not attack the wrong person.

They specifically target susceptible individuals like an older gringo driving alone or a gringo couple, as per when you had your incident.

And they do this because they can see into the vehicle, who is driving and who else is inside.

The ONLY way to prevent this is to have darkened tinted windows ALL ROUND and keep the windows up. (for some this may mean getting the A/C fixed..right Seville:rofl:)

Then the baddies cannot see clearly who is in the vehicle so will never take a chance that it may be some heat packing narco with his crew.

AC fixed... damn Willie, he did this...the windows go down don't they... you damn tea & crumpets folks are so damn sophisticated!!!

He will be fixing the AC when he takes the Jeepeta in for a car wash!!!!!

[Seville]

These wankers been doing this shit for years.

This is the point, although they are dumb pond scum Dominicans with intelligence levels less than an amoeba, they will not get what is coming to them because they will not attack the wrong person.

They specifically target susceptible individuals like an older gringo driving alone or a gringo couple, as per when you had your incident.

And they do this because they can see into the vehicle, who is driving and who else is inside.

The ONLY way to prevent this is to have darkened tinted windows ALL ROUND and keep the windows up. (for some this may mean getting the A/C fixed..right Seville:rofl:)

Then the baddies cannot see clearly who is in the vehicle so will never take a chance that it may be some heat packing narco with his crew.

A/C????? What the hell is that. You Englishmen need to man up. Maybe that is why you lost the Revolutionary War. Your troops were waiting for the A/C. King George III told them it was on the way.:rofl::rofl:

[weyland]

Good info from Seville, but do not let anybody think Puerto Plata is worse for this common scam then anywhere else. There was a post recently on DR1 about the same thing happening in Sosua, and earlier I read one about La Romana. My then landlord had stories about this when I first arrived seven years ago.

The deciding factor is not the town, but whether you have soft target written over you. I can confidently say it has never happened to any publico I have been riding in!

Seville is always looking for excuses not to visit Pto Pta, to avoid buying me lunch.

[snoozer]

I was taken for 4000 pesos last month on the way to Puerto Plata. Same M/O, something banged under the car, two helpful dominicans just happened to be passing, offered to help, very convincing. The stupid thing is that I was well aware of this scam and I was still taken in.

[Seville]

Good info from Seville, but do not let anybody think Puerto Plata is worse for this common scam then anywhere else. There was a post recently on DR1 about the same thing happening in Sosua, and earlier I read one about La Romana. My then landlord had stories about this when I first arrived seven years ago.

The deciding factor is not the town, but whether you have soft target written over you. I can confidently say it has never happened to any publico I have been riding in!

Seville is always looking for excuses not to visit Pto Pta, to avoid buying me lunch.

According to my mechanic it does only happen in Puerto Plata. I spend 99.999% of my time driving in and around Sosua - Cabarete. Nothing like that has ever happened in almost 4 years. It has happened to me three times in less than a year in Puerto Plata and I am rarely there.

[JD426]

I was taken for 4000 pesos last month on the way to Puerto Plata. Same M/O, something banged under the car, two helpful dominicans just happened to be passing, offered to help, very convincing. The stupid thing is that I was well aware of this scam and I was still taken in.

If its not too much trouble, and not to Re Live it and all but can you elaborate a little on exactly HOW they got the 4 mil pesos out of you.
Did they "fix" something ? just curious what their specific game plan is once they engage you.

[Seville]

If its not too much trouble, and not to Re Live it and all but can you elaborate a little on exactly HOW they got the 4 mil pesos out of you.
Did they "fix" something ? just curious what their specific game plan is once they engage you.

Unfortunately I have become very jaded. As far as I am concerned any Dominican offering to help you on the North Coast is trying to fuck you. Don't even engage them. Just send them on their way as quickly as possible. I know full well that it is not actually true but you have to treat every encounter that way.

[questner]

How about this vehicle? Just change the glass into bulletproof tinted

http://www.picsauto.com/images/land-rover-defender-90-02.jpg

[jose1234]

Unfortunately I have become very jaded. As far as I am concerned any Dominican offering to help you on the North Coast is trying to fuck you. Don't even engage them. Just send them on their way as quickly as possible. I know full well that it is not actually true but you have to treat every encounter that way.

I have had plenty of honest to goodness assistance in the country from Dominicans. Sometimes without them wanting much in return if anything. It depends where you are and the circumstances. Once my car broke down at the poor person hospital (green building) in Puerto Plata and a couple Dominican guys stopped and tried to help fix the car for 45 minutes. They ended up unsuccessful and was going to leave without asking for anything. I appreciated their effort and passed them some pesos and we were all feeling good. Unfortunately, I am so very scared to let a stranger into my life to help me now... I always think... "why should I be so fortunate to have such good fortune come before me"... Like you, I am jaded too... Its a self preservation instinct now... unfortunately...

[weyland]

According to my mechanic it does only happen in Puerto Plata. I spend 99.999% of my time driving in and around Sosua - Cabarete. Nothing like that has ever happened in almost 4 years. It has happened to me three times in less than a year in Puerto Plata and I am rarely there.
So you drove to Pto Pta three times plus at least one more time trouble-free? Say half-hour each way, makes 4 hours. But you claim to spend 99999 times as much time driving round Sosua/Cabarete. That comes to 45+ years of driving 24/7 in "less than a year".

Your testimony is not reliable.

And I am glad you don't teach math in the school.

[Mr. Smooth]

Damn Seville, first it's a car scam that cost you a pretty peso to repair. Then it's a fucked up system that you are trying to make heads or tails out of on a new computer that you bought.

Not exactly the best of weeks for a retired civil servant, is it? :corky:

What next, a Haitiana getting lockjaw while giving you a bj? I think you need to take a trip someplace, whaddya say? :rofl:

[whynotme]

According to my mechanic it does only happen in Puerto Plata..

they must be watching the 1960's American tv movies and getting pointers from them.:corky::rofl:

those scams were all the rage back then

[whynotme]

I have had plenty of honest to goodness assistance in the country from Dominicans. Sometimes without them wanting much in return if anything. It depends where you are and the circumstances. ...

back in 05 I spent 3 weeks at xmas in sosua and was so fuckin bored I rented marcos old car and one night on the way back to the trade winds I blew out his tires going thru a washed out drainage ditch and a Dominican on a bike turned around and changed the tire for me ( didn't want to get my drinking glass dirty :wink:) and when asked how much he said no charge so then I over paid him:eek::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ezsmile]

Everyone should be very aware when driving in Puerto Plata. On two previous occasions Dominicans attempted to scam me while driving. They throw something at your car or under it so you hear some kind of bang or other noise. Then they pull up to you telling you they saw something fall off your car or whatever. Of course they know a mechanic that can fix the issue and are only too happy to help you. The first time this happened the guy even looked under my car and came out holding a part that "fell off". The part was not from my car. In both instances I just told them to go away.

That brings us to Tuesday. I went to Puerto Plata early in the AM. I was going to the Ministry of Health to see about getting a couple of shots prior to my Africa trip. Almost as soon as I turned on the the malecon I noticed a SUV following me. To be certain I slowed and sped up several different times and it stayed right with me. When I turned at the fire station the SUV turned with me. So I made another left and it followed. Then I made two more lefts which brought me back out on the malecon. I no longer saw the SUV. I drove down the malecon a few blocks and then turned around to come back.

I turned at the fire station and went up the street and made a right turn. I parked on the street. I did not see the SUV. Went into the building but it didn't take more than 15 minutes to figure out that getting the shots there was going to be too much hassle. I did notice a Dominican guy standing next to me when the woman was trying to explain all the BS I had to go through to get the shots. That BS included going to another place a few street over and getting a blood analysis prior to getting the shot.

I returned to my car and the friendly Dominican drove up next to me just as I was going to start the car. He was motioning for me to follow him; as in he would show me where I needed to go for the analysis. But I was just returning to Sosua and I ignored him. Then when I turned the key to start the car nothing happened. I had power but nothing happened.


what about the blood test? that seems like a scam also, or is it legit?

[weyland]

According to my mechanic it does only happen in Puerto Plata.
How long have you lived here and you believe a Dominican? About anything?

All over the world neighboring towns and villages are rivals, ususally denigrating each other. If you talk to Puertoplateños, Sosua is Sodom and Gomorrah combined. All in good fun, but they really do believe it.

I was brought up in one of twin towns and the same thing happened. When I got a scholarship to a school in the other town it was like going to Fallujah as far as my friends were concerned. That was sixty years ago but the DR is still 100 years behind that era socially and educationally.

I never waste any opportunity to denigrate Sosua. I am a Puertoplateño now.

[WickedWillie]

How long have you lived here and you believe a Dominican? About anything?

All over the world neighboring towns and villages are rivals, ususally denigrating each other. If you talk to Puertoplateños, Sosua is Sodom and Gomorrah combined. All in good fun, but they really do believe it.

I was brought up in one of twin towns and the same thing happened. When I got a scholarship to a school in the other town it was like going to Fallujah as far as my friends were concerned. That was sixty years ago but the DR is still 100 years behind that era socially and educationally.

I never waste any opportunity to denigrate Sosua. I am a Puertoplateño now.

I know the apple rarely falls far the tree but do you really think the fruit of your loins would be dumb enough to use a Dominican mechanic (that in itself is a supreme oxymoron):rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Seville]

How long have you lived here and you believe a Dominican? About anything?

All over the world neighboring towns and villages are rivals, ususally denigrating each other. If you talk to Puertoplateños, Sosua is Sodom and Gomorrah combined. All in good fun, but they really do believe it.

I was brought up in one of twin towns and the same thing happened. When I got a scholarship to a school in the other town it was like going to Fallujah as far as my friends were concerned. That was sixty years ago but the DR is still 100 years behind that era socially and educationally.

I never waste any opportunity to denigrate Sosua. I am a Puertoplateño now.

WW is right. You assume a lot. Just because you would be foolish enough to use a Dominican mechanic does not mean I am. :smile:

And if I recall correctly the first time that scam was tried you were with me and you fell for it immediately. You were the one urging me to believe the Dominican that was telling us that my car was broken. I was the one ignoring him. How long have you lived here and you believed that Dominican scammer? It is the difference between book smarts and street smarts. With your above mentioned scholarship you gained a lot of book smarts. Street smarts; obviously not so much.:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[weyland]

And if I recall correctly the first time that scam was tried you were with me and you fell for it immediately. With your above mentioned scholarship you gained a lot of book smarts. Street smarts; obviously not so much.
All true. And what was worse, like Snoozer, I had been told about similar scams years before but it didn't immediately come to mind. It was only when the guy was so persistent it dawned on me.

But it was partially your fault. I warned you about a very nasty drainage gully at the corner, but just to spite me you accelerated into it like a rally driver (or like Thunderstar). There was a horrible crunching noise so when the guy stopped us few yards further on it was all too believable that you had done some damage.

You are right about street-smarts. I have very little and it has cost me dearly all my life, most of all here in the DR. On the other hand, when I look at some guys who have street-smarts and little education I would not want to be like them.

You have a nice balance of both, as some guys do.

[MrHappy]

These wankers been doing this shit for years.

They specifically target susceptible individuals like an older gringo driving alone or a gringo couple, as per when you had your incident.

The ONLY way to prevent this is to have darkened tinted windows ALL ROUND and keep the windows up. (for some this may mean getting the A/C fixed..right Seville:rofl:)

Then the baddies cannot see clearly who is in the vehicle so will never take a chance that it may be some heat packing narco with his crew.




The deciding factor is not the town, but whether you have soft target written over you. I can confidently say it has never happened to any publico I have been riding in!



I'd swear you guys are trying to tell Seville something here....

[Seville]

All true. And what was worse, like Snoozer, I had been told about similar scams years before but it didn't immediately come to mind. It was only when the guy was so persistent it dawned on me.

But it was partially your fault. I warned you about a very nasty drainage gully at the corner, but just to spite me you accelerated into it like rally driver (or like Thunderstar). There was a horrible crunching noise so when the guy stopped us few yards further on it was all too believable that you had done some damage.

You are right about street-smarts. I have very little and it has cost me dearly all my life, most of all here in the DR. On the other hand, when I look at some guys who have street-smarts and little education I would not want to be like them.

You have a nice balance of both, as some guys do.

Could this be considered praise coming from my father? You know that is what every son really wants; his father's approval. Now that I have it I feel that I can move forward and I will be a much better adjusted person. Thanks Pops!

[thunderstar]

Could this be considered praise coming from my father? You know that is what every son really wants; his father's approval. Now that I have it I feel that I can move forward and I will be a much better adjusted person. Thanks Pops!


Erm grandad - you missed me off the last paragraph!

Anyway - saville and I are off to drive around Mombasa - dodging the hand grenades obviously!

[sonrisa]

Everyone should be very aware when driving in Puerto Plata. On two previous occasions Dominicans attempted to scam me while driving. They throw something at your car or under it so you hear some kind of bang or other noise. Then they pull up to you telling you they saw something fall off your car or whatever. Of course they know a mechanic that can fix the issue and are only too happy to help you. The first time this happened the guy even looked under my car and came out holding a part that "fell off". The part was not from my car. In both instances I just told them to go away.

That brings us to Tuesday. I went to Puerto Plata early in the AM. I was going to the Ministry of Health to see about getting a couple of shots prior to my Africa trip. Almost as soon as I turned on the the malecon I noticed a SUV following me. To be certain I slowed and sped up several different times and it stayed right with me. When I turned at the fire station the SUV turned with me. So I made another left and it followed. Then I made two more lefts which brought me back out on the malecon. I no longer saw the SUV. I drove down the malecon a few blocks and then turned around to come back.

I turned at the fire station and went up the street and made a right turn. I parked on the street. I did not see the SUV. Went into the building but it didn't take more than 15 minutes to figure out that getting the shots there was going to be too much hassle. I did notice a Dominican guy standing next to me when the woman was trying to explain all the BS I had to go through to get the shots. That BS included going to another place a few street over and getting a blood analysis prior to getting the shot.

I returned to my car and the friendly Dominican drove up next to me just as I was going to start the car. He was motioning for me to follow him; as in he would show me where I needed to go for the analysis. But I was just returning to Sosua and I ignored him. Then when I turned the key to start the car nothing happened. I had power but nothing happened.

Happened to me! I was driving on the four-lane road in front of Playa Dorado complex when I heard a bang on my right side. Didn't notice any problems. Silver Honda SUV pulled up next to me and pointed to my tire. I stopped, wisely on the busy street. All tires okay. Guy got out and pulled out a part. This scam is for real and should be avoided by pulling over, checking your tire and then driving off with a unfriendly finger pointing the way to the scammer. If you rent a car always call only the representative of the car agency. If you own a car, call only your mechanic. Do NOT accept any unsolicited warnings and/or advice from any Dominican! Drive on to a safe spot or at least a public place, check your car and call your representative if needed. Never ever trust unsolicited Dominican advice. Now as I say this, I must admit that one time in Santiago I had a driver point out to me that my car was overheating and, in fact, it was. But that guy simply told me that and then drove on. He was right, but neither he nor a follow-up car did anything else so I simply pulled into the Gran Almirante Hotel in Santiago and they provided all the assistance I need . . . fresh water. Still, my advice remains . . . Trust NO unsolicited advice from any Dominican!!! My other advice, believe in your heart of hearts that EVERYTHING is a scam. Final advice, make your own decisions without pressure from anyone.

[steviewonder]

According to local residents that I spoke with this past weekend, the new spot is just B 4 you get to Fun City (after Star Hills) heading west into Puerto Plata. Several guys are located in the cane fields and will trow an object under your car. Seconds later a SUV will try to get you to pull into Fun City and tell you that a ball of fire was seen coming out from under the back of your car.:wink: If you are targeted in this area, you have been warned, continue at a safe speed toward your destination. As for the SUV that tries to get you to stop, one sign will do:fu:.

[snoozer]

According to local residents that I spoke with this past weekend, the new spot is just B 4 you get to Fun City (after Star Hills) heading west into Puerto Plata. Several guys are located in the cane fields and will trow an object under your car. Seconds later a SUV will try to get you to pull into Fun City and tell you that a ball of fire was seen coming out from under the back of your car.:wink: If you are targeted in this area, you have been warned, continue at a safe speed toward your destination. As for the SUV that tries to get you to stop, one sign will do:fu:.

That is exactly where it happened to me. Never thought of someone hiding in the cane fields but makes sense because I was pretty sure I did not see anything on the road when I heard the bang. The silver Honda CRV directed me into the Fun City parking lot.

[weyland]

Has never happened to me when in a publico.

[continentalmike]

Has never happened to me when in a publico.

But you have no airco and your clothes might wrinkle from the 5 tonnes of Dominican Grandma that is seated on your lap.

[weyland]

... your clothes might wrinkle from the 5 tonnes of Dominican Grandma that is seated on your lap.
Hey! Julie is not that fat!


But you have no airco.
Those I have graciously permitted to drive me about in the DR can testify that I always implore them to turn off the aircon and open all the windows instead.

[continentalmike]

Hey! Julie is not that fat!


Those I have graciously permitted to drive me about in the DR can testify that I always implore them to turn off the aircon and open all the windows instead.

OK, I understand that you prefer a simple life, which can be a good thing.

Btw did I miss the part where the little retard bred?

[thunderstar]

I hope not - the future president of Haiti - or little retard as you call him - can only be 7 years old.
I know they start young but 7 is a bit too young!

[weyland]

the future president of Haiti - or little retard as you call him - can only be 7 years old.

Just turned 5 and playing happily with Buzz Lightyear's right arm as I write. Not sure where the rest of Buzz Lightyear has got to.

[Señor JDR of Medellin]

OK, I understand that you prefer a simple life, which can be a good thing.

Btw did I miss the part where the little retard bred?

Who would that be?

[continentalmike]

When I pointed out the dangers of being crushed by a 5 tonne Dominican Grandma in a publico, Weyland retorted that Julie wasn't fat yet. So making the bridge from Grandma to Julie, I asked when her son had made a baby...

As always, we have gone rather far afield :) :)