Colorado Springs Police Department Warns Community Of Scam Targeting Mobile Payment Apps

Colorado Springs CO

23 May, 2022

11:23 PM

Description

Press release from the Colorado Springs Police Department: May 23, 2022 The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) Financial Crimes Unit wants our community to be aware of a scam targeting mobile payment apps. In February 2022, CSPD first became aware of a mobile payment scam taking place in Colorado Springs. In each instance, the suspect asked to borrow the victim's phone to make a call, stating that their own phone had died and that they were trying to contact a friend in the area. While pretending to remember the number, and with the screen being held out of the victim's line of sight, the suspect then opens the victim's Venmo application and makes several transfers. The money transfers were done without the victim's knowledge or permission. As detectives worked this investigation, more than a dozen additional victims came forward. "This is a simple scam but has a tremendous impact on its victims. The suspect can scam the victim right in front of them without them knowing what is going on, all while the victim is trying to be a good Samaritan," explains CSPD Financial Crimes Unit Detective Ray Wetzel. As the investigation continued, detectives were able to identify and obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect. The suspect is currently being held at a criminal justice center in another city for committing similar crimes. At this time, we are not releasing the suspect's name as we want to provide additional potential victims the opportunity to come forward and make a positive suspect identification. When appropriate, we will release the suspect's mugshot and identity. CSPD is asking that if there are any victims who experienced this type of scam, to please contact the CSPD at (719) 444-7000. "Our goal is to care and serve our community. Nobody should have to experience this type of crime, and we want to do everything we can to hold the suspect accountable and provide support and justice for our victims," says Detective Wetzel. How to Report CSPD non-emergency line at (719) 444-7000. Please reference case #22-05946. Safety Tips Additionally, the CSPD Financial Crimes Unit has provided these safety tips for our community should you encounter a similar situation: Do not lend your personal property to those you don't know Password protect as many mobile apps as possible/set up multifactor authentication If you feel that a person is making a legitimate request to contact someone, protect yourself by putting your phone on speaker-phone and offer to dial the number for them. Keep the phone in your possession the entire time and do not allow the person to hold or manipulate your phone at any time. This press release was produced by the Colorado Springs Police Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.