‘Our citizens are falling victim to this’: FHP, MDSO join forces to warn public about crash scene solicitation

A scheme targeting drivers involved in crashes prompted Florida Highway Patrol troopers and Miami-Dade Sheriff s Office deputies to come together to warn residents. Officials say the scheme begins when offenders show up at crash scenes unannounced, bringing tow trucks or claiming to offer help to affected drivers. That s when these suspects get victims to sign away their vehicles, leaving them owing thousands. You re involved in an accident, somebody pulls up and starts offering services, don t do it, because it s going to be a scam, said Lt. Rafael Lola with the Florida Highway Patrol. Authorities gave 7News an exclusive look at their efforts to stop these schemes last Thursday. FHP and MDSO officials orchestrated several crashes across Northwest Miami-Dade to draw in scammers, with undercover cops posing as traffic crash victims. They ll arrive, a lot of the time even before law enforcement does, said an officer. 7News cameras showed one of the staged wrecks at