The Mary Sue
‘Please don’t send no more money to Elon’: Woman tries to send her ‘boyfriend’ …
An elderly woman tried to buy a Visa gift card to give to her boyfriend 'Elon Musk' at a Florida Publix. A worker and her manager intervened
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Vigilant Cashier Prevents Elderly Woman from Falling for Elon Musk Impersonation Scam
An incident at a retail store has brought to light the persistent threat of online scams targeting vulnerable individuals, as an elderly woman was reportedly attempting to purchase gift cards to send money to a person she believed to be Elon Musk. The situation, captured in a recent video, shows a vigilant cashier intervening to prevent the potential financial exploitation. The woman was observed at the checkout counter, holding her phone which displayed text messages from an individual identified as "Elon Reeve Musk." These messages included explicit instructions for the woman to acquire specific gift cards, such as "Razor gold or steam card," and to transfer funds. When questioned by the cashier about the recipient, the woman confidently stated, "I'm sending it to Elon Musk." She further claimed to have met him in person, asserting, "Yes. In person." The cashier, recognizing the classic signs of a scam, gently but firmly advised the woman against proceeding. As the scammer's message on the phone read, "No honey get Razor gold or steam card," the cashier's voice could be heard expressing concern, stating, "No, honey, you're getting scammed." The cashier continued to urge, "Don't send no more money to Elon. Okay? Don't send no more money. No more money." The elderly woman appeared confused by the intervention, responding, "I'm sorry, I don't understand." The cashier reiterated, "He's not getting no card, boo." This incident underscores the sophisticated tactics employed by scammers and highlights the crucial role that attentive community members, like this cashier, play in preventing financial fraud. Authorities consistently issue warnings against sending money or gift cards to individuals claiming to be celebrities, government officials, or other prominent figures, especially when all communication is conducted online.
