A troubling trend has gripped the streets of New York City, as scammers exploit the good nature of pedestrians for their own illicit gain. The New York Police Department has sounded the alarm over a scam that has already cost city dwellers over $76,000 just last year. Scammers, operating primarily in Manhattan and Brooklyn, engage with their marks under the guise of charitable work, asking for donations to support ostensibly noble causes.
These criminals intriguingly concoct stories of needing financial support for sports teams, educational activities, or non-profit organizations, and manipulate their victims into attempting to use Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle to contribute. The scam reaches its crux when the donation supposedly doesn't go through, and the scammers, feigning assistance, ask to "fix" the issue by borrowing the victim's phone. According to Gothamist, this is the moment the scammer typically transfers substantial amounts of money to their own account.
The NYPD has dissected this ruse and warns that the number of incidents peaked last year between January and November, with losses per incident ranging from $928 to $3,500. Victims are often young, with those targeted between the ages of 19 and 39, and a significant majority being female. A particular case detailed by the Gothamist reported a 23-year-old woman losing $2,500 on West 28th Street and Broadway after handing her phone over to scammers.
While apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App do provide users with guidance on avoiding online scams, this on-the-street scamming tactic seems to bypass those virtual safeguards. Zelle spokesperson Jane Khodos, when approached about the matter, stressed that "99.5% of transactions using its service were completed without a report of a scam." She went on to note that "These unfortunate situations are precisely why Zelle believes the best approach to solving this problem is to focus on the criminals trying to coerce hardworking Americans into sending money," as she told Gothamist.
The NYPD has emphasized that these scams are most prevalent in summer months and advises the public to remain alert. Law enforcement officials surmise that many of the scammers hail from New Jersey, targeting those relaxing in public spaces like parks and courtyards. Last year's efforts to combat these deceptive practices resulted in several arrests, including three individuals from Jersey City aged 19 to 21, and even a 15-year-old boy. A succinct reminder from Boing Boing concludes the sobering advice: "It should go without saying, but never hand your phone to a stranger, especially when using an app connected to your bank account."
