Truck driver admits $510K fuel card fraud without buying fuel

A West Virginia truck driver admitted stealing more than $510,000 from his employer through a fuel card scheme that never required pumping a gallon of diesel. Federal prosecutors say Jeffrey Jeffers created fictitious service stations through online payment platforms, then processed fraudulent charges against company-issued fuel cards. The payments flowed into accounts connected to those fake businesses. Investigators determined his normal delivery routes almost never required refueling away from the company’s distribution facility.

Jeffers, 35, of Williamstown, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. Court records show the scheme generated $510,465.19 in fraudulent charges between November 2022 and July 2024. Prosecutors stated Jeffers delivered industrial gas products from a Wood County distribution facility during that period. Company trucks received fuel at the employer’s location before leaving for deliveries, while drivers also carried fuel credit cards for limited circumstances.

Fake service stations received the payments

According to court documents, Jeffers admitted creating fictitious service stations on online payment-processing platforms. He then submitted fraudulent fuel transactions through those merchant accounts using company-issued credit cards. Prosecutors stated the money moved into accounts connected with the fake businesses rather than legitimate fuel purchases. Jeffers also acknowledged his assigned routes normally did not require outside fueling, making those transactions inconsistent with daily operations.

Jeffers waived indictment and pleaded guilty on July 30. Judge Joseph R. Goodwin scheduled sentencing for Nov. 9. Jeffers faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. He also owes $510,465.19 in restitution.