Spanish security authorities have long warned about a simple distraction trick targeting parked vehicles, which is once again being discussed in the media. Offenders place what appears to be a found banknote or coin in clear view on the windscreen or tuck it under the windscreen wiper. When the driver returns and gets out to pick it up, accomplices take advantage of the brief distraction to open the doors and steal valuables – and, in rare cases, the car itself if it is ready to drive.
Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil repeatedly advise people to follow a few simple precautions: if you spot an unfamiliar object on your vehicle, get in first, lock the doors and assess the situation from inside. If you are unsure, drive to a busy or well-lit place or call 112 directly. In general, do not leave valuables visible inside the vehicle, and always lock it when getting out. The advice focuses in particular on typical locations such as supermarket car parks, car parks at shopping centres and poorly lit or secluded stretches of road.
The latest reports from Spanish media, which revisit the warnings and cite examples from various regions, have brought the issue back into focus. La Razón covered the trick again this week and summarised police advice. As early as 2025, among others, the Diario de Navarra and specialist websites had referred to relevant prevention videos and advice from the Policía Nacional. El Debate described the modus operandi as a variant of so-called distraction tactics, which often involve several offenders working together: one person distracts the driver while another reaches into the car or opens the driver’s door when the vehicle is unsecured.
Facts, attributions and possible consequences should be distinguished: police channels and established media have documented warnings about this method. Quotes and assessments come from the relevant police statements cited in those reports. Victims may lose bags, mobile phones and documents, or even their car if the key is in the ignition or the vehicle has a keyless system. The authorities also stress that anything unusual on the vehicle – from a marked windscreen wiper to an object left in place – should not be dealt with in haste or while the vehicle is unsecured. Anyone who witnesses such an attempted distraction should keep their distance and contact the police.
The warnings are intended to help people avoid everyday lapses. They are not a substitute for reporting an incident: anyone affected should call 112 immediately and formally report the theft.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).