Sophisticated Gift Card Scam Hits Youngsville Gas Station, Police Seek Suspect
YOUNGSVILLE, NC — Police are searching for a man accused of using a cellphone app to steal $800 from a gas station in Youngsville, marking the latest in a string of sophisticated gift card scams targeting North Carolina businesses.
The incident occurred on Nov. 7 at around 10:40 p.m. at the Speedway located at 130 West Main Street, according to a news release from the Youngsville Police Department. The suspect reportedly used a phone application to manipulate the store’s computer system, causing it to reboot. This allowed him to reverse $800 in gift card purchases back to the store.
The suspect fled the scene in a black Jeep Cherokee. A photo of the individual has been released, and authorities are urging the public to help identify him.
This scam mirrors a similar scheme earlier this year, where two men stole more than $3,500 from gas stations across North Carolina, including the Sheetz at 564 U.S. 1 in Youngsville. In that case, the suspects approached the register with multiple gift cards and convinced the clerk to press the register’s “cash tender” button to process their PayPal debit card. This maneuver allowed them to load funds onto the gift cards fraudulently, police said.
The two men completed seven transactions, stealing $3,476.26, before leaving in a white sedan with possibly tinted windows.
Anyone with information about the latest incident is encouraged to contact Corporal C. Wisnieski of the Youngsville Police Department at cwisnieski@youngsvillenc.gov.
As gift card scams grow increasingly sophisticated, law enforcement officials are urging retailers and the public to remain vigilant.