Sophisticated theft ring accused of stealing millions through Apple Pay

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The president of a watchdog agency urges consumers to closely monitor bank statements and Apple Pay accounts after a series of thefts was discovered in the mid-South.

According to Glenn Alred, president of an intelligence sharing group involving law enforcement officers and retailers known as ALERT Mid-South, authorities across the country are now on the lookout for a sophisticated group of retail thieves who apparently figured out how to crack Apple Pay to load gift cards.

Alred, an 18-year veteran, called this theft ring very complex and unlike anything he has come across.

“We didn’t realize the magnitude of it,” Alred said as he showed News 2 a picture of an unidentified man wearing an LA hat and dark glasses.

Alred said the man was seen in Nashville last week with four associates, all of whom were reportedly using Apple Pay to load blank gift cards with cash stolen from unsuspecting people’s bank accounts

“He hit probably 13 different locations in Nashville. He went into different retailers and he would grab gift cards, go over to the self-checkout, and load them with $180 on average, and use his Apple Pay account to load them, which comes back as fraudulent account later, and somebody has to eat that charge,” Alred explained.

According to Alred, the group has been linked to similar crimes in Kentucky, Texas, and Utah.

“One of the videos that someone sent me, he continued to tap. It’s like he had multiple bank accounts, and when one wouldn’t go through, like somebody already discovered it and closed it, he had another one and another one, so that’s where we’re that,” Alred told News 2. “We’re trying to determine where they’re getting and how they’re getting all these bank accounts. Now, they’re linking them to Apple. That’s concerning for Apple.”

Alred said based on information from the retailers he has spoken to so far, the group is responsible for stealing close to $3 million.

“Have you talked to Apple representatives?” News 2’s Andy Cordan asked.

“I have not, but several of the law enforcement guys we’re working with have,” Alred replied.

⏩ Read today’s top stories on wkrn.com

“Are they concerned about this new breach of technology?” Cordan questioned.

“They are very concerned and they’re trying to get in front of it really fast,” Alred answered.

Alred recommends continuing to check your own financial data, both in your bank accounts and anything associated with Apple Pay.

News 2 has reached out to Apple for a comment, but we have yet to hear back.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.