warn.

One woman driver told The Royal Gazette how she nearly fell victim to the conman.

"He told me my back tyre was coming off and tried to get me to pay $70, saying he would get the parts for the car and fix it,'' she said.

Yesterday, Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning sent out this four-point warning to motorists: Be wary of strangers offering to work on your vehicle; Don't pay for any work until it has been completed; If in doubt about replacing expensive parts, get a second opinion; and Where possible use reputable garages and mechanics.

"Last year a number of motorists fell victim to the auto repair conman who offered to work on their car, but often collected the money up front without carrying out the repairs,'' said P.c. Venning.

He added: "It appears the conman is back at work with a slight variation in which he recommends replacing expensive parts which are defective.'' Police say the man either targets his victims in car parks, or flags them down.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the woman driver who managed to escape the clutches of the trickster also had a word of advice.

"If you are approached by a man claiming there is something wrong with your car, you should get a second opinion.

"Don't pay any money up front, and use your common sense.'' The woman said the man had tailed her as she drove along Harbour Road.

"He started tooting to me to get my attention, and when I looked in my mirror I saw him pointing to something,'' she said.

"I could not understand what it was all about, and eventually I stopped. He told me my back tyre was coming off.'' The woman said the man claimed something underneath the vehicle had come loose.

"He said he would get the parts for the car and fix it.'' She added, however, alarm bells had started ringing after the man asked for some money, initially $70.

"I did not actually give him any money, but he tried to solicit the money.'' The woman said she later took her car to a garage and discovered there was nothing wrong with it.