A Louisville nonprofit dedicated to assisting cancer patients has fallen victim to a sophisticated and cruel scam. Thieves have devised a method to exploit charity gaming machines, siphoning off thousands of dollars intended to support individuals battling cancer. The organization’s owner described the act as "a new low."
Key Takeaways
- Thieves used a laminated $100 bill and fishing line to trick gaming machines.
- The scam allowed them to rack up thousands of dollars by repeatedly pulling the fake bill out.
- Shirley’s Way, a nonprofit supporting cancer patients, is the primary victim.
- All affected gaming machines have been shut down pending an audit.
The Deceptive Scheme
Mike Mulrooney, owner of Shirley’s Way, explained the elaborate method used by the perpetrators. They employed a laminated $100 bill attached to fishing line. By inserting the fake bill into the machine and then quickly retrieving it once the machine registered the deposit, they were able to defraud the machines of significant amounts of money.
"They somehow created a phishing device that was able to slip into the bill acceptor machines on these Grover Games," Mulrooney stated. "That’s how they did it. They tricked the machine, racked up a couple hundred bucks and then cashed out."
Impact on Shirley’s Way
Shirley’s Way, named after Mulrooney’s late mother, Shirley, plays a crucial role in supporting cancer patients. The organization generates between $5 and $6 million annually, providing essential assistance for expenses such as housing, food, and medical bills. The funds are raised through gaming machines located at approximately 40 sites across Louisville.
Mulrooney expressed his deep disappointment and personal hurt over the incident. "It hurts," he said. "I’m not too fond of thieves. We see it around here all the time, and I think the general public’s just really sick and tired of the theft in this state, the country, the city. But this was kind of a new low."
Community Outrage and Official Response
Regular patrons of Shirley’s Way, like Rick Williams, voiced their frustration and anger. "It makes me mad, because you’re taking away from somebody that needs the money, somebody that actually could use it," Williams commented. "You’re taking from them, and it’s just not right."
The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, responsible for regulating charitable gaming, has initiated an audit of the affected locations. Consequently, all gaming machines have been temporarily deactivated until the review process is concluded. While suspects were captured on surveillance footage, the images were not clear enough to identify them or their exact actions.
