Hoax email danger alert
By Dave Jones (Costa Blanca News)
MOTORISTS could end up getting shot if they heed the information put out on an email which has been widely circulated around the Costa Blanca.
This was the stark warning put out by Neighbourhood Watch chiefs this week.
The email claims to be from a senior police officer called Manuel Piedrabuena and advises drivers 'to be careful at Guardia civil check points'.
The hoax, which was first circulated five years ago, states that Sr Piedrabuena told a police conference 'the other day' about a new activity of robbers on secondary roads.
The bogus mail reads: "It seems that a gang, mainly Rumanian including people from Bulgaria and Poland, are disguising themselves as Guardia Civil, with similar uniforms, tri-corn hats, but non-standard pistols.·
"They even have cars similar to those of the Guardia Civil.
·"Because their disguise is not very effective in the light of day, they do their dirty work at night.·
"They wait until a car appears and stop it at the side of the road.·
"They say that they are checking for drink driving and the result of their test is always positive even if you have not been drinking.
"Naturally, most people will challenge this result and that is when their game starts.·
"They will tell you that perhaps the machine is not working properly but that they have another machine fixed in their car which will determine the result."
The hoax goes on to state that the Guardia Civil·will never ask a driver to leave their car - information which is incorrect.
The email adds: "As soon as you get into their car they will rob you of everything, money, credit cards, mobile phone and whatever they find in your car."·
It also states: "Be very careful if you are stopped by the Guardia Civil on secondary roads - keep your mobile phone ready so that you can call the police."
It also calls on the recipient of the email to send the message 'to all your friends for the benefit of all'.
James Herbert, president of Neighbourhood Watch in Spain, said the email had now been so widely distributed that it had become a danger.
And he said he had been inundated with calls asking about the authenticity of the message.
"This email is a hoax and has been doing the rounds for at least five years," he said.
"What worries me most is that people will think this is true and they will decide not to stop at a Guardia Civil road checkpoint.
"If they don't stop they could be chased and forced off the road.
"People should remember that the Guardia Civil are armed over here and we fear that in the worst case scenario someone could end up getting shot."
He called on internet users to stop circulating the email due to the danger it presented.