An 82-year-old woman walked into Watson Gas Mart in Crestwood, Missouri, while a caller claiming to be from Apple Support stayed on the phone.
She was preparing to send $7,000 through a Bitcoin transaction. The payment did not go through because a store employee noticed the warning signs, called police, and Crestwood Officer Andrew Gift intervened before the money was sent.
The City of Crestwood said the incident happened Thursday, May 28, at Watson Gas Mart, 9666 Watson Road. Investigators later learned the woman had already lost $4,000 earlier that day after a caller directed her to buy gift cards at a Lowe’s store in St. Louis City.
The Caller Claimed to Be From Apple Support
The woman was speaking with someone claiming to be from Apple Support when she entered the gas station and prepared to send the $7,000 Bitcoin payment, according to Crestwood officials.
The Bitcoin request was the red flag. Crestwood officials said scammers often impersonate trusted organizations, create urgency, and demand payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Apple gives customers a direct rule for suspicious support calls. If someone gets an unsolicited or suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be from Apple or Apple Support, Apple says to hang up. Apple also says suspicious callers may spoof phone numbers, claim there is suspicious activity on an account or device, and pressure people for information, money, or Apple gift cards.
A Watson Gas Mart Employee Called Police
The Watson Gas Mart employee contacted police after recognizing signs of a possible scam. Officer Gift responded and determined the woman was the victim of an ongoing fraud scheme, the city said.
Gift stopped the Bitcoin transaction before it was completed and helped the woman disconnect from the caller. Crestwood officials said the person on the other end repeatedly called back after the call ended.
First Alert 4 also reported that the employee overheard the woman preparing to send $7,000 while speaking with someone claiming to be from Apple Support.
Police Say She Had Already Lost $4,000
The $7,000 Bitcoin transaction was stopped. The earlier gift-card payment was not.
Investigators learned the woman had already purchased $4,000 in gift cards at a Lowe’s store in St. Louis City after the caller directed her to do so, according to the city.
The FTC warns that tech-support impersonators may pretend there is a computer problem, ask for remote access, and push payments through gift cards, wire transfers, bank transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps. The agency says scammers prefer those payment methods because, once the money is sent, it is hard to get back.
Apple’s gift-card warning says Apple gift cards can be used only to buy products and services from Apple. Apple also tells customers not to provide gift-card numbers to someone they do not know well or have not met.
Crestwood Wants Businesses Watching for the Same Red Flags
The Crestwood Police Department launched a fraud prevention initiative in April 2026 after seeing more cases affecting residents and local businesses. Webster Groves Police Department joined the effort in May, forming the Watson Corridor Fraud Prevention Partnership.
Business Resource Officer Matt Hill said the Watson Gas Mart case showed why police were working with businesses and residents on fraud prevention.
“This incident at the Watson Gas Mart is why we are working to educate both residents and businesses about fraud prevention,” Hill said. “The employee recognized the warning signs, contacted police, and helped prevent this resident from losing thousands more dollars. Their actions made a real difference.”
Crestwood officials listed several warning signs: unsolicited calls, texts, or emails requesting immediate payment; requests to pay with gift cards, Bitcoin, or other nontraditional methods; and pressure to act quickly or keep the transaction confidential.
The FTC says cryptocurrency payments are usually not reversible, and only scammers demand cryptocurrency in advance to buy something or protect money.
Crestwood officials urged residents and businesses to contact the Crestwood Police Department at 314-729-4800 if they believe someone is being targeted or notice suspicious activity. In an emergency, call 911.