Italy car theft scam uses 50-euro notes to distract drivers

A new theft tactic is targeting motorists in Italy, particularly in the northern areas of Rome. Criminals are using a distraction method involving a 50-euro note, which may be counterfeit, placed under a vehicle's windshield wiper.

According to reports, the scam typically occurs in busy parking lots, such as those at supermarkets and shopping centers. The thieves wait for drivers to return to their cars. Often, the driver only notices the money after they have already loaded their belongings and started the engine. When the driver exits the vehicle to retrieve the note, accomplices take advantage of the distraction to open the door and steal valuables like smartphones, bags, or wallets.

In more severe cases, if the driver leaves the engine running and the keys in the ignition, the criminals may steal the entire vehicle. Another reported variation involves placing a plastic bottle in a wheel well to create a noise that prompts the driver to stop and exit the car, creating a similar window of opportunity for theft.