Two out-of-state truck driver lost more than $2,700 after falling victim to a jackpot scam in a Georgia travel stop last weekend.
According to the Athens-Banner Herald, John Rhodes from Florida and an unnamed driver from Virginia were approached by two other men at the Pilot Travel Center on Highway 53 in Braselton, Georgia on Sunday.
The two men told the truck drivers that a fellow trucker had recently won a casino jackpot and was giving out money and free meals to other drivers inside the store.
As the drivers walked towards the store, one of the men told them “There he is. He must have moved outside.”
The drivers saw a middle-aged man handing out money to others.
“They weren’t dressed like thugs. They were dressed like everyday, working-class citizens,” said one of the drivers.
The man who was handing out money told the drivers that he would match whatever they had in their pockets. Because they saw him give cash to others, they did not suspect anything wrong.
As soon as the truck drivers pulled money out of their pockets, the three men grabbed the cash and fled.
The truck driver from Virginia lost $2,700 that he collected from customers and owed to his company.
“They got me good. I’m obligated to repay that money. Now, I’ll have to work like a slave to pay this debt back.” he said.
John Rhodes, the driver from Florida, said he lost around $400.
“They took off like bats out of heck,” Rhodes said. “I’m sure they’ve done it before. They had it set up perfect. You can’t trust anybody out there.” he added.