Virtual pickpocketing: Thief asks to borrow cellphone, pays himself with Cash App/Apple Pay

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Everyone with a cellphone should be aware of a scam happening around Milwaukee. It involves a young person asking to use a phone.

Two neighbors and total strangers said they were scammed out of money in seconds. They were each approached by a child riding a scooter who told them he needed help. They said the boy told them his scooter ran out of funds and needed their phone to contact his mother.

"It didn't seem like there was harmful intent in that moment," said Anyon Rettinger, a victim of the scam.

"He was very polite, very respectful, real just warm," added Kara Vercimak, another victim.

Vercimak said she encountered the boy at the end of August. Vercimak said she initially told the young person she'd dial his mother's number for him, but he insisted on texting instead. The boy claimed his mother used a government phone and didn't receive calls. Their encounter only lasted about five minutes.

An hour later, she noticed an email saying her Cash App transaction was accepted.

"My heart just sunk and I was like ' $1,100 what?!'" said Vercimak.

She quickly alerted her bank and Cash App of the fraudulent transaction. Vercimak also filled out a report for the Internet Crime Complaint Center after Milwaukee Police Department District 3 instructed her to do so.

Rettinger shared a similar experience. He was working on his car in early September when a young person came up to him.

"His really only request, with not too much urgency was just, 'Hi, can you help me? I need to contact my mom, can I please borrow your phone?'" said Rettinger.

Rettinger said he was keeping an eye on his phone but went to close the oil cap on his car.

"I think when I had turned away for just less than a minute the damage was done," said Rettinger.

The damage was worth $5,000 -- the money sent to the scammer's account through Apple Pay. Rettinger eventually got his money back but it was a difficult and lengthy process. Rettinger filled out a theft report.

State Representative Evan Goyke of the 18th District said he's received several calls and emails from people about the scam.

"Within the two or three neighborhoods where we're standing here on the near west side, I'd say I'd probably heard between 10 and 12 maybe 15 neighbors that had an encounter," said State Rep. Goyke.

Neighbors from different communities have captured the alleged thief on ring cameras, both Rettinger and Vercimak identified the person in the videos as the scammer.

Milwaukee police said they are looking into these claims.

Although both victims got their money back, they hope by sharing their stories others are more vigilant with their phones.

The Martin Drive Neighborhood Association will host a community meeting and will talk about this scam with neighbors on Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. at Washington Park Senior Center, followed at noon with a harvest lunch.