A concerned woman has issued a warning to kind-hearted strangers not to pull over if they see a baby—or signs of one—apparently abandoned by the side of the road.
In her post, she shared a photo of a stroller parked just off a road near some bushes, urging caution. “If you see a stroller, car seat, or any type of baby situation alone in the middle of nowhere, please, I repeat, don’t get out. Be safe,” she wrote.
The post quickly gained traction, with many people agreeing with her cautionary message. One commenter noted, “Yes, people lie in wait—at best they rob you, at worst they bash you too.” Another added, “Families are struggling, some of them will use kids as bait.”
This tactic, known as the “abandoned baby” scam, involves thieves using a stroller or other baby items to lure and ambush good Samaritans. While this isn’t the first warning of its kind, the latest post has gone viral, attracting comments from around the world about this cruel tactic.
Many expressed their gratitude for the warning. “OMG—I would be out of the car so fast to check, thanks for the warning,” one mother said. Another commented, “This is so cruel because they are targeting the best of us.”
Some suggested calling the police instead of stopping. “I would just call the police to have a look at it. It sounds harsh but it isn’t worth the trouble,” advised one commenter.
There were also humorous responses. “This stroller was probably dumped by my husband who after two years still can’t figure out how to fold it for the boot,” one mother joked. Another speculated, “A mum had to dump it because her toddler wanted to walk but didn’t want her to push the groceries in the empty pram. She’ll be back to get it later.”
Similar scams, such as the “dead man” and the “screaming woman,” were also mentioned. One Australian woman shared, “I pulled over to help a man passed out on the side of the road once. The police officer yelled at me and said it is often a scam and as a single woman I should be more careful.” Another added, “I have heard of people pretending to be hurt and then stealing your car.”
Women have also been known to use these tactics. “I have heard of women screaming for help only to do the same thing. Just call the cops and move on,” suggested a woman from the US.
The warning post has been shared 23,000 times and attracted thousands of comments, highlighting the widespread concern and the need for caution in such situations.