Help from professionals

Viennese rip-off victim now turns the tables

Roman F. only stopped for a few seconds in front of the abandoned petrol station and had to pay 400 euros. He won in court and is now suing the "trappers".(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Zwefo)

Another case of parking lot rip-off - this time in Ottakring. But the "victim" didn't want to give in so easily, got help and is now asking the rip-off artist to pay himself. Others are now to be helped too.

A harmless stop in front of an abandoned petrol station in Vienna's 16th district became the start of an unexpected legal dispute for Roman F.. What was meant to be a brief stop to charge his wife's broken bike turned out to be a costly trap weeks later: he was ordered to pay 395 euros for an alleged disturbance of property.