breaking

West Virginia Driver Pleads Guilty to $510K Fuel Card Theft Scheme

A 35-year-old truck driver from Williamstown, West Virginia admitted to stealing more than $510,000 from his employer through a fuel card fraud scheme that involved no actual fuel purchases. Jeffrey Jeffers created fictitious service stations on online payment platforms and processed fraudulent charges against company-issued fuel cards between November 2022 and July 2024. The stolen funds were diverted into accounts connected to the fake businesses. Prosecutors noted Jeffers' normal delivery routes from a Wood County distribution facility rarely required refueling away from the employer's location, making the transactions inconsistent with operations. Jeffers pleaded guilty to wire fraud July 30 and faces up to 20 years in prison, three years supervised release, and fines reaching $250,000. Federal investigators and prosecutors emphasized that fraud schemes carried out through computer screens and online payment platforms are no less serious than traditional theft.