Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road
Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Feb 2009
palace15's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
Posts: 1,034
Warning for Spain!

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:32 pm Post subject: If your going to Spain this was posted on the XT web site...worth a read...
And was also posted on bmwgs.co.uk by dazzerrtw



I thought it was only about 10 years behind the rest of the world.
it seems we are more like dick turpins time
Just got this from a biker friend in Spain .
BE CAREFUL AT GUARDIA CIVIL CHECK POINTS

The other day, a senior police officer, Sr. Manuel Piedrabuena, told a police conference about a new activity of robbers on secondary roads.

This information comes from a good policeman who wants people throughout Spain to be aware of what is going on.
It seems that a gang, mainly Rumanian including people from Bulgaria and Poland, are disguising themselves as Guardia Civil, with similar uniforms, tri-corn hats, but non-standard pistols.

They even have cars similar to those of the Guardia Civil.

Because their disguise is not very effective in the light of day, they do their dirty work at night.

They wait until a car appears and stop it at the side of the road.

They say that they are checking for drink driving and the result of their test is always positive even if you have not been drinking. Naturally, most people will challenge this result and that is when their game starts.

They will tell you that perhaps the machine is not working properly but that they have another machine fixed in their car which will determine the result.



THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE LIE!



As soon as you get into their car they will rob you of everything, money, credit cards, mobile phone and whatever they find in your car. The big problem is that they can use your cards straight away and you can do nothing because they are in control.

The Guardia Civil NEVER ask you to leave your car and they NEVER ask you to take a breathe test in their car.
On some occasions they can be very, very violent.
Be very careful if you are stopped by the Guardia Civil on secondary roads; keep your mobile phone ready so that you can call the POLICE.
If you keep reporting this gang which is causing havoc we will break up the entire organisation and their numbers will be reduced.
We must all watch out and use the power of the internet and the public to fight this threat.
If we allow this gang to get away with it, all the other criminals will be headed for Spain.
SEND THIS MESSAGE TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS FOR THE BENEFIT
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 90
Fake police?!

I had a similar incident going through Madrid.

An unmarked 'police car' pulled along side me whilst driving the motorway through Madrid.

The passenger of the car flashed a police badge at me through the window and ordered me to pull off the motor way at the next exit.

Thinking the situation to be unusual I ignored the demand and the 'police car' buggered off. Had they been legit they would not have just left me to carry on without responding to their orders.

If you experience a similar request, be very suspicious. Overlanders traveling south through europe are known to be carrying cash and expensive gear. Consequently we are increasingly targets for cons.

Cheers

John
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 Feb 2009
NewAdventurerLee's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 97
hoax

Hi all,This email has been circulating for about 5 years and the people mentioned do not exist. There is a very real danger that because of reading it, people will not stop at a legitimate checkpoint and please bear in mind that the police in Spain are armed.Here is an article that i read a few eeks back, which sprung to mind when i saw this posting.Costa News - Hoax email alert
__________________
'Never worry about things that YOU cant change'
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 198
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewAdventurerLee View Post
Hi all,This email has been circulating for about 5 years and the people mentioned do not exist. There is a very real danger that because of reading it, people will not stop at a legitimate checkpoint and please bear in mind that the police in Spain are armed.Here is an article that i read a few eeks back, which sprung to mind when i saw this posting.Costa News - Hoax email alert
Hi, I am not sure this is a hoax, but understand the danger of not stopping for a genuine police stop / officer.

I have a friend who has lived in Spain for many years, he warned me of this last year, he said around the Madrid area. I was travelling down from Picos De Europe to Cordoba thru the extremadura. I doubt he would have fed me a duff story as I travel with my daughter (three at the time) and wife.

He said that they normally have un-marked police cars and not to stop unless there is a "proper" car, i.e Green & White.

Either way, it is a bit of a worry.

Dan
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 454
Quote:
Originally Posted by danward79 View Post
Hi, I am not sure this is a hoax, I have a friend who has lived in Spain for many years, he warned me of this last year, he said around the Madrid area.
Dan
Dan, do you not think that maybe your friend thinks its a real threat too? and just posting the "helpfull" advice like this threads author has done too?

It may be true, it may not, but if people start waving guns and shooting at me I'm going to pull over and stop!

G
__________________
Land Rover D90
www.Siroccoverland.com | Follow us on Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
Quote:
Originally Posted by Griffdowg View Post
Dan, do you not think that maybe your friend thinks its a real threat too? and just posting the "helpfull" advice like this threads author has done too?

It may be true, it may not, but if people start waving guns and shooting at me I'm going to pull over and stop!

G
Really? If people start waving guns and shooting at me I'm going to f**k off as fast as I possibly can; the last thing I would do is stop....
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 198
Quote:
Originally Posted by Griffdowg View Post
Dan, do you not think that maybe your friend thinks its a real threat too? and just posting the "helpfull" advice like this threads author has done too?

It may be true, it may not, but if people start waving guns and shooting at me I'm going to pull over and stop!

G
Hi,

Not sure if something got lost in translation here, but I am agreeing with the helpful advice by the author of this thread. :confused1: I think the advice I received from a friend was because it was seen as a possible threat.

I think if guns were waving I would struggle to decide on stopping or putting my foot to the floor!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 454
I dont know what you guys drive, but my 2.5 ton land rover 90 is no contest for a car in Gardia Civil livery . Rather than get shot in transit, i would rather pull over. why risk it? they may be the real 5-0! Which was the point i made to Dan earlier. Lee posted a link saying that these rumours had been going around for years etc etc. Its entirely possible that its a hoax. How many times have you seen emails and posts that are just non-sense.

Too many.

We had no problems driving the length of Spain in our "standout" land rover 90 in the day or through darkness.

G
__________________
Land Rover D90
www.Siroccoverland.com | Follow us on Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 Feb 2009
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,078
More information here.

Tim
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live,"
Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 Feb 2009
Caminando's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
Thanks Tim and excellent research here. The info you give puts a different light on this thread. I hope people travelling to Spain read your info.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 19 Feb 2009
NewAdventurerLee's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 97
I am sure that there have been incidents like this in the past, in every country in the world.

I think we should all, always be on our guard and watch for anything suspicious.

Even a hoax email gets our attention and sharpens the mind.

Lee
__________________
'Never worry about things that YOU cant change'
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 23 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 334
I´m spanish, I´ve been riding Spain for 20 years and It´s the first time y have heard that tale of fake Guardia Civil. I can´t believe anyone could disguise themselves like GC. The real GCs don´t make jokes at all. And no one could get away with it. The real way of robing people on our roads is provoking a little accident. When the car stops to see the damage and write all the insurance paper, the bad guys get everything they want, even being violent.

If you see a GC car, you´d better stop. We have serious problems with terrorists, police are aware of them so it could be very dangerous trying to runaway. They can mix you up.

Spain is still a very good place to ride. Sun, food and bends.
__________________
www.miquelsilvestre.com
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 23 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sunderland, UK
Posts: 280
I remember something like this was happening in the Teesside area about 15 years ago. The scam involved a Ford Granada with a police sign in the back window, pulling motorists over for speeding and convincing the driver that new on-the-spot fines had been introduced. Personally, I wouldn't be stopping for an unmarked car at night, especially while driving through the middle of nowhere.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 23 Feb 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 9
In Amsterdam there have been instances where fake police have stopped tourists to look into their bags "for drugs" and then taken valuables from their bags.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 24 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Leeds, UK
Posts: 120
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miquel-Silvestre View Post
Spain is still a very good place to ride. Sun, food and bends.
Isn't the bends bad for you?
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mauritania warning Jose Brito North Africa 5 2 Mar 2009 14:51
klr 250 warning kiwiron Kawasaki Tech 1 20 Sep 2007 09:37
Warning MarkE Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 1 13 Apr 2007 19:30
Warning about Guatamala jklotz Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 17 9 Mar 2005 01:51
Bolivia Warning Werner Zwick Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 0 21 Apr 2001 01:00

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:43.