MEMBERS of the public have been warned of a potential scam after police received several reports of a man flagging down cars and asking for money for fuel.

According to Argyll and West Dunbartonshire police, three separate reports were received on Wednesday, January 26 of a man stopping passing cars, telling drivers his vehicle had broken down, and claiming he needed money to buy fuel.

Police say the man was well dressed, stated that he was a German national, and appeared to have a vehicle nearby.

Reports of a man matching the description were received from the A816 at Kilninver, near Oban, the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful, and the A82 at Loch Lomond, near the Arden roundabout.

In a warning issued via the Neighbourhood Alert email service, a police spokesperson said: "Whilst officers haven't been able to establish any confirmed criminality on these occasions, previous scams of this nature have been seen throughout the UK."

Common features of previous similar scams include: 

- The scammers often drive luxury cars and flag down passing motorists.
- The scammers will claim to have run out of fuel or to have broken down.
- The scammers will ask for cash or request money is transferred into a bank account.
- Fraudsters have also been known to stand in front of cars to stop them moving off.

The police spokesperson added: "We would urge you to contact police immediately if you come across this type of scammer.

"If the person has genuinely broken down then we will be able to assist, however if they are part of this known scam, then we will be able to intervene."