CARLSBORG, Wash. – Police in Clallam County are warning businesses to stay vigilant after a brazen scam nearly convinced two gas station employees to break into their own ATM and prepare the cash for a so-called “emergency pickup.”
Mistaken Robbery Call Leads to Startling Discovery
The incident unfolded just after 1:28 a.m. Thursday, when a witness called 911 to report what appeared to be an armed robbery in progress. According to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the caller saw two men inside a closed gas station on Carlsborg Road striking an ATM machine.
Believing the crime was underway, the witness stayed at the scene until law enforcement arrived. Responding officers included deputies from CCSO, officers from the Sequim Police Department, and a Washington State Patrol trooper.
When deputies entered the business, they discovered tools scattered on the floor and a large pile of cash stacked on the counter. At first glance, the evidence appeared to confirm an attempted theft—until officers spoke with the men involved.
Employees Following Orders
To the officers’ surprise, the two men were not criminals at all, but rather employees of the gas station. They explained that they had received a call earlier in the evening from someone they believed was the business owner.
The caller, who had spoofed a convincing number, told them there was an urgent need to prepare money for an “emergency pickup.” He instructed the workers to collect cash from the store registers, the safe, and even the ATM.
When the employees could not open the ATM, the caller assured them it was covered by insurance and told them to use tools to force it open. Following the instructions, the men broke into the machine while still believing they were helping their employer.
Scammer Reveals Himself
Deputies asked for the phone number the employees had used to communicate with their “boss” and dialed it. To their shock, the man on the line openly admitted he was not the business owner but a professional scammer.
According to the CCSO, the scammer taunted deputies, boasting that they would never be able to trace or capture him, before abruptly hanging up.
Authorities said that fortunately, no money was stolen during the scheme. The only damage sustained was to the ATM itself, which employees had partially dismantled while trying to comply with the false instructions.
Warning for Business Owners
In a public statement, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office warned that this type of scam is becoming increasingly common. Criminals frequently impersonate owners, managers, or corporate representatives in order to manipulate employees into turning over money or valuables.
“Scammers often impersonate business owners, managers, or corporate representatives to trick employees into releasing money or property,” the CCSO said. “If you receive unusual instructions to handle cash, safes, or ATMs, verify directly with your employer through a known phone number before taking action.”
Deputies added that the employees in this case were victims of fraud, not suspects, and stressed that verifying suspicious requests could prevent similar incidents in the future.
Broader Scam Trends
Law enforcement officials say scams like this are evolving with the help of caller ID spoofing and third-party apps, which allow criminals to mask their true identities. In this case, the scammer reportedly had the employees download an app and call back on a number he provided, further lending credibility to the deception.
These tactics, authorities warn, are designed to create urgency and override common sense safeguards. Scammers often pressure victims to act quickly, leaving little time for verification.
Community Guidance
Officials are urging both business owners and employees to hold regular conversations about fraud prevention and to establish clear procedures for verifying unusual instructions. Employees should be empowered to question suspicious calls and to pause before handling money in unorthodox ways.
Anyone who experiences a similar scam or receives unusual calls directing them to handle cash is encouraged to contact the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office at (360) 417-2262.
A Close Call
In this instance, quick reporting from a concerned citizen and the response of local law enforcement prevented what could have been a devastating financial loss for a small business.
While the incident ended without theft, it serves as a reminder that scammers are becoming bolder and more sophisticated—and that vigilance, verification, and communication remain the best defenses against fraud.
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