Moscow gas station heroes thwart scammers

Employees at Moscow’s Stinker Station have become local heroes by preventing cryptocurrency kiosk scams, saving around a dozen victims monthly from financial losses. Scammers often use intimidation, convincing individuals that they are under legal threat unless they deposit cash into kiosks. Kayla Yardley, who almost lost $14,000, recounted how scammers convinced her of dire consequences, including jail time. Assistant Manager Jaci Nath highlighted the importance of recognizing signs of distress in customers, noting that body language often reveals when someone is being scammed. Nath has intervened multiple times since the kiosk's installation last year, warning victims about the fraudulent schemes.

Store manager Wayne Jacobs received city recognition in June for his team's efforts to combat these scams. The increasing frequency of these incidents has raised awareness about the dangers of cryptocurrency kiosks. Local law enforcement continues to encourage citizens to remain vigilant against such scams.