Byron PD: Car Scammers Targeting Travelers and the Elderly

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) -The Byron Police Department needs the public’s help to find two suspects wanted for scamming travelers and elderly people out of money by tricking them into thinking their car is damaged.

Detective Melanie Bickford tells 41NBC the scam started back during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. She says the two men in their late twenties or early thirties spray brake fluid behind the back tire of a victim’s vehicle, tell the driver they have a break line leak, and that it is dangerous for them to drive.

They will charge the victim $50 to $100 to repair the line until they get it to their local mechanic. Bickford says they are not causing any damage to the cars.

Byron police says they’ve gotten six reports of this scam. Bickford tells 41NBC the suspects have also targeted victims in Perry and Bibb County.

Bickford says the suspects have claimed to be mechanics at Jeff Smith Ford and Cheverlot in Byron. She adds one of the suspects presents a fake ID for Jeff Smith.

If you spot the vehicle, the men, or have any information on this case, call Bickford at (478) 956-2493. If you are a victim of this scam, you’re urged to contact your local law enforcement agency.