Springtown, Texas — A teenager has been arrested in North Texas after police say he fraudulently charged McDonald’s customers twice during drive-thru transactions, pocketing hundreds of dollars before being caught.
According to Springtown police, 19-year-old Giovanni Primo Blount of Poolville was taken into custody after a customer noticed suspicious charges on their debit card following a visit to a McDonald’s location in Springtown, northwest of Fort Worth.
How the alleged scheme worked
Investigators say Blount was working the drive-thru window when the fraud occurred. After customers handed over their debit cards to pay for their meals, Blount allegedly processed the legitimate McDonald’s transaction first.
Police say he then used a personal mobile device to tap the same card a second time, adding an unauthorized charge ranging from $10 to $20. The extra transactions were allegedly routed to an account controlled by Blount.
Authorities confirmed the actions were captured on restaurant security cameras.
“He was able to see the suspect using customers’ cards to process their valid McDonald’s transaction and then turning and tapping his phone where an application was set up to process additional charges,” said Assistant City Administrator Christina Derr.
Investigation and arrest
Police believe the fraudulent charges were limited to Sunday, January 18, though they are urging anyone who visited the restaurant around that time to double-check their bank statements.
Investigators estimate Blount obtained just under $700 before being arrested later that same day. During questioning, police say Blount admitted to the scheme and was able to refund some of the charges in front of officers.
Blount was arrested on a fraud charge and is now facing court proceedings.
Restaurant response
The local McDonald’s owner-operator issued a statement emphasizing that the incident does not reflect the restaurant’s standards.
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“This situation does not reflect the standards we hold for our restaurant. We worked closely with local authorities and completed a thorough internal review. All affected customers have been fully refunded, and the individual involved is no longer employed at the restaurant. Our commitment to integrity and the trust of our customers remains our top priority,” the statement read.
Police warn customers to stay alert
Springtown police also used the incident to remind residents that financial crimes can go unnoticed without regular monitoring. Officials recommend the following steps to protect against fraud:
- Review bank and credit card statements frequently
- Enable transaction alerts for real-time notifications
- Report suspicious charges immediately
- Avoid letting your card leave your sight when possible
- Use mobile wallets or contactless payments
- Change PINs and online banking passwords regularly
- Check credit reports periodically for unfamiliar activity
Anyone who believes they were impacted by the alleged fraud is encouraged to contact the Springtown Police Department.
Have you ever spotted an unusual charge after a routine purchase? Share your experience or thoughts on card safety in the comments.
