Man Steals $2,500 From Montclair Woman via Basketball Team Venmo Scam
Updated
Updated · RLS Media · Jul 8
Man Steals $2,500 From Montclair Woman via Basketball Team Venmo Scam
3 articles · Updated · RLS Media · Jul 8
Summary
$2,500 was transferred without authorization from a Montclair woman's Venmo credit account after a man briefly took her phone during what appeared to be a small donation.
Police said the July 2 encounter happened near The Crescent Parking Deck, where the suspect claimed he was raising money for a basketball team and showed what he said was the team's website.
The man held the unlocked phone for about a minute, returned it, and fled; the victim later discovered the transfer.
Montclair police described the suspect as a dark-skinned Black male, about 19 or 20, wearing a black shirt and black shorts with twists or locks, and said the investigation remains active.
Authorities urged residents not to hand unlocked phones to strangers and to closely watch payment apps during electronic transactions.