Web Desk
A scammer’s attempt to steal $20,000 from an elderly woman was thwarted by a gas station worker in Tawas City, Michigan.
The employee’s vigilance prevented a devastating financial loss.
On March 10, 2025, Jeremy Patterson, an attendant at Forward’s Gas Station, noticed an elderly woman depositing money into a Bitcoin ATM inside the Shell Station.
Suspecting fraud, he promptly contacted Iosco County Central Dispatch.
“A big thank you to the quick-thinking Shell Station attendant, Jeremy Patterson.
He saved our citizen from losing $20,000,” said East Tawas Public Safety in a March 19 Facebook post.
The elderly victim told officers she had received an email from “Norton Anti-Virus” claiming she owed $400 for an automatic subscription renewal.
She then spoke with a man named “James Morgan”, who instructed her to log into her online banking for a refund.
The scammer tricked the woman into giving remote access to her computer and bank account.
He claimed an error had been made—her refund was $21,000 instead of $210—and urged her to withdraw $21,000 in cash to return the supposed overpayment.
The victim withdrew the money from Huntington Bank and went to the Shell station as instructed. She deposited:
$900, which was immediately processed and stolen.
$9,000, which was flagged by the Bitcoin ATM company, Cash 2 Bitcoin.
While officers spoke to the victim, the scammer called her phone. Officers answered, identified themselves, and “James” quickly disconnected the call.
The next day, Officer Renshaw discovered that the scammer had moved $21,000 from the victim’s investment account to her checking account, creating the illusion of an overpayment.
The bank helped the victim open new accounts to prevent further fraud.
Cash 2 Bitcoin initially planned to keep $2,250 as a processing fee from the flagged $9,000 deposit.
However, after Officer Renshaw intervened, the company agreed to refund the full amount.
Authorities continue investigating the scam, emphasizing the importance of public awareness and vigilance against financial fraud.
