GRAY, Maine —
In an extraordinary turn of events, an elderly couple in Gray who lost $20,000 to an online pop-up scam saw every dollar returned, thanks to quick action by their local bank and law enforcement.
Sara Thomas, branch manager at Androscoggin Bank in Gray, recalled the tense moment on Nov. 7, when the shaken couple walked in after realizing something was wrong.
“My client came in and felt really uneasy,” Thomas said.
The pair explained they had clicked on a pop-up ad promising a $200 refund for antivirus software. Instead, their bank account suddenly showed a $20,000 deposit. Soon after, someone posing as an “agent” told them they had been over-refunded and pressured them to withdraw the extra funds in cash.
The scammers then sent someone to collect the cash from their home. After handing over the money, the couple grew suspicious and went to the bank for help.
Recognizing the signs of a fraud, Thomas immediately contacted the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
“That’s when I know it’s time to get law enforcement involved,” she said.
Chief Deputy Brian Pellerin said the case was remarkable because officers managed to recover the entire $20,000 — a nearly unheard-of success in scam investigations.
The recovery happened after the person who picked up the cash mentioned the specific FedEx drop box where it would be left. Acting quickly, deputies went to the site and found the money still inside.
“Timing and proximity were really the big factors,” Pellerin said.
He emphasized that scammers often rely on urgency and guilt to pressure victims into quick decisions. The best defense, he said, is to pause and verify — especially with your bank.
Emily Hobbs, who works in fraud prevention at Androscoggin Bank, said all staff are trained to detect scams but early intervention makes the biggest difference.
“We try really hard to protect people and recover funds, but oftentimes, there’s not much we can do,” Hobbs said. “This time, it turned out wonderfully.”
Thomas said the couple was deeply grateful and relieved, calling the experience life-changing.
“I would definitely say I have clients for life now,” she said.
