Beware of the ‘oil and smoke’ scam

LAST week while driving from Jalan Duta into Jalan Damansara in Kuala Lumpur, a motorcyclist pointed to my front left wheel to indicate some problem.

A few seconds later another motorcyclist did the same, so this time I moved to the side and got out of my car.

The guy who pointed to my wheel also stopped beside my car and said that the wheel was emitting smoke. I did not see any smoke but found oil on the rim of the wheel, most likely brake fluid.

He identified himself as a “mechanic” and said that he could help. He called for another guy using his mobile phone. The second “mechanic” joined us within minutes and they both removed the tyre and looked at the whole braking unit behind the rim.

The first “mechanic” said that the braking mechanism behind the wheel was damaged and brake fluid was seeping out. He said that I must have gone fast over a pothole on the road to have caused this extensive damage.

He advised that the whole braking unit be changed and that he could do it. Both “mechanics” managed to convince me with their well-choreographed dialogue.

The first “mechanic” left to obtain the spare part. He took along the used unit from my car. I was glad that I had help so easily from the two very helpful “mechanics” who happened to be going my way.

The first “mechanic” returned with the part which appeared to be factory wrapped. Within 10 minutes the job was done and the braking system was effective again.

The shocker came when he produced the invoice from the spare parts shop. It was for an amount that I did not expect but he explained that braking system spares were expensive.

I told him that I did not have enough money and he agreed to come with me to an ATM machine where I withdrew the cash and paid him. His accomplice followed us and picked him up from that point.

Only later did I realise that I was probably a victim of a scam and this was confirmed by four friends who had a similar experience. The two guys were very professional in the manner they undertook the scam.

The sequence started with a motorcyclist squirting oil on the wheel while he rode beside my car. The hot wheel and brake drum then emitted smoke, an alarming situation for any layman.

The second guy, who gave the warning, came along to confirm that smoke was emitting from the wheel.

He volunteered to help. He looked under the wheel and probably, at this point, disconnected the brake fluid lead.

This action disabled the braking system. He asked me to press the brake pedal and I was satisfied that the braking system was not functioning.

He took along the damaged braking unit to ensure that he got the right spare part. He returned with a new part but without my original part. It was most likely that the old part was cleaned and brought back as new.

A couple of days later, I took my car to my regular workshop to check the brakes. I was told that I was a victim of a scam.

One mechanic told me that he had came across no less than 20 customers who were taken for this kind of “expensive ride”.

Not only did this create a large hole in my pocket but the experience dented my ego to some extent.

So, my dear fellow motorists, please be cautious and do not become a victim of this scam.

AN ANGRY VICTIM

Kuala Lumpur