What looked like a heartfelt plea for help on Evanston streets turned out to be an alleged high-tech hustle that police say siphoned tens of thousands of dollars from residents in just a few weeks.
Four people were arrested last Friday after Evanston detectives said they cracked an organized tap-to-pay donation scheme that had quietly drained accounts across the city. Investigators say they spotted the suspects talking with a potential victim in the 600 block of Chicago Avenue and moved in. One person allegedly tried to get away by car and struck a detective's squad vehicle before officers shut the scene down. Police later said they recovered cash, multiple phones and a vehicle tied to the case.
Who Was Charged and What They Are Accused Of
Evanston police charged Jerome Kirk, 20, of Springfield, along with Amari Jackson, 23, and Nasir Johnson, 23, both of Chicago, and Quinshon Rendles, 26, of Chicago, in connection with the reported scheme. According to CBS Chicago, Kirk, Jackson and Johnson each face one felony count of aggravated identity theft of a person over 60. Rendles is charged with a misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing an officer and a felony count of criminal damage to government property.
How the Scam Worked
The Evanston Police Department says the suspects approached people in public spots, often with emotional stories about funerals or other hard-luck situations, and then asked for a credit card or cellphone to tap for a small donation. Once they had the card or device in hand, the offenders allegedly accessed financial accounts and ran up charges, handing over what police say were fake receipts to keep victims from noticing anything was wrong at the moment. Many only discovered the damage later, when fraud alerts started pinging, or bank statements arrived.
The City of Evanston had already warned residents about an uptick in this kind of contactless-payment scam and explained how tap-to-pay systems can be exploited when someone else handles your card or phone. The city urged people to be extra cautious with anyone who insists they need to physically take your payment method to process a donation.
Police Response, Recovery, and the Investigation
Detectives say they have documented eight of these scams across Evanston between Dec. 1 and Dec. 17, with reported losses topping roughly $35,000. The arrests came after surveillance of the suspects last Friday, according to investigators.
Three of the suspects allegedly bolted on foot when officers moved in, but police say all three were quickly detained. Rendles is accused of trying to drive off and hitting a squad car before officers took him into custody.
The investigation led to the recovery of more than $20,000 in cash, multiple cell phones, and a vehicle that police say is tied to the case. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved felony charges, and in a statement to Patch, Chief of Police Schenita Stewart said, “These arrests highlight the importance of proactive policing and robust investigations.”
Why Tap-To-Pay Scams Are Spreading
Contactless payments have become second nature for many people, which is exactly what makes them ripe for abuse. When someone else is holding your card or phone and tapping for you, it is easy for a thief to enter a much higher amount than you agreed to, or process multiple transactions before you get it back.
In a recent Chicago case, a woman says she was hit for roughly $45,000 after a similar street encounter, showing how fast the numbers can spiral. That incident was detailed in Chicago woman loses $45,000. Consumer advocates, including the Better Business Bureau, have warned about so-called “ghost tapping” and urge people to double check transaction amounts, turn on account alerts and refuse to hand over cards or phones to strangers. The BBB also publishes practical tips for recognizing and avoiding this kind of scam.
How to Report and Protect Yourself
Evanston officials are urging residents to draw a hard line: never hand your card or phone to another person to complete a payment, no matter how convincing their story sounds. They also recommend regularly reviewing bank and credit card statements and enabling fraud alerts on all accounts.
If you believe you were targeted or think you may already be a victim, contact your bank immediately, then reach out to the Evanston Police Department at 847-866-5000. Tips can also be submitted by texting CRIMES (274637) and starting the message with EPDTIP, according to the City of Evanston. Police say the probe is still active and they are asking anyone with information, or anyone who suspects they were scammed, to come forward.
Jackson, Johnson and Rendles are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, while Kirk's next hearing is set for Dec. 29, according to CBS Chicago.
