Even if you’re not a racing fan, you’ve likely heard of Formula 1. It’s the largest and most popular racing series not just in the country, but in the entire world. So, it shouldn’t be shocking to learn that 275,000 people were drawn to Miami for this year’s Miami Grand Prix F1 race. A majority of the fans came from South Florida, the series reported. Since many of them drove, many were scrambling to find a parking space.

Since parking in officially sanctioned lots could cost up to $450, depending on the day, 18 fans were drawn to parking in a privately owned lot just across the street from the F1 race. There were a few people dressed as parking attendants, telling fans they could park in that lot for the day for $60. Some ‘attendants’ were charging $100.

“We came to this list to park and a woman with a [parking company] logo on her shirt told us to pay [$60],” Andres Escobar told CBS.

They paid, parked, and walked across the street to enjoy the race. When they returned, they found the people who sold them the parking spots missing.

The city was trying to prevent people from selling spots for the F1 race

Knowing Miami Gardens was going to be packed, the city tried valiantly to keep people from parking in lots that weren’t sanctioned by the series and the city for the event.

According to CBS investigators, the ‘attendants’ did not have permission to sell spots for the F1 race, hence why the vehicles, with receipts and passes in the window, were towed away.

Many tried to get the police involved, arguing that they were scammed. The police say they’re looking into it, but couldn’t offer the 18 people whose vehicles were towed any consolation. Several took Ubers to the tow yard, which charged each of them $120 to have their cars returned.

Viewers weren’t shocked the fans were scammed

Many locals in Miami were not at all surprised that people with bad intentions saw an opportunity to scam those who were trying to enjoy their time. Many suspected it was an elaborate setup.

“How much do you want to bet the ‘parking attendants’ actually work for the towing company?” they wrote.

Another wrote the scam felt like “typical Miami shenanigans.”

Someone else wrote that they felt shocked by the lack of street smarts.

“How do people not realize they’re being scammed anymore?” they wrote. “Having to pay via Zelle would have been my first clue.”