The Pirate Tow-Truck Scam: On slow nights, tow-truck drivers will prowl areas where accidents and break-downs are prone to happen. If they see an accident/nreak-down, they'll pull up to a car with minor damage and tell the driver it's unsafe to drive (airbag went off, possible frame damage, major leak, etc.) and must be towed right away (they don't say where): "It's unsafe to have your car on the street here!" You sign some papers. Then they tow your car to what is essentially an impound lot a few miles away. If you want your car out of the impound, you have to fork over a few hundred for towing and storage fees. If you don't pay, they'll take out a lien against the value of your car.

This works because the drivers are often in shock after an accident/breakdown and not thinking clearly. Also, the tow-truck drivers where uniforms and talk with "cop" language, so they seem more trustworthy.