As temperatures rise in Atlanta, so does a concerning trend: teens known as “water boys” are being accused of scamming well-meaning drivers who think they’re supporting a local hustle.
What used to be a simple exchange — a few dollars for a bottle of water on a hot day — has evolved into something more sinister, thanks to Cash App and QR code scams.
What’s Happening?
In multiple incidents, drivers who attempted to pay the teens via mobile apps ended up losing far more than expected — in some cases, over $1,000.
Tristen Richardson, for example, believed she was buying a $2 bottle of water. After handing her phone to a teen who claimed he needed to “type in the right username,” she was stunned to discover a $1,100 charge had been made to her account.
“My heart sank,” she told Fox 5 Atlanta. “That’s a big chunk of money.”
In another case, a woman lost $800 after scanning a QR code offered by a group of boys off I-20. She intended to tip $5, but the transaction went through without any PIN or fingerprint verification.
One man said he was approached by teens in Buckhead while driving. After they saw his Cash App balance of $12,000, they snatched his phone. When he got out to retrieve it, one teen jumped into his Range Rover and drove off.
The Crimes Are Escalating
What began as digital deception has reportedly escalated to violence. According to Atlanta police and campus alerts from Georgia Tech, recent incidents connected to the water boys include armed robbery, aggravated assault, and multiple cases of theft by deception.
One driver was even held at gunpoint near North Avenue and Williams Street before having their phone stolen.
Why It’s Happening
Experts say these scams exploit the public’s growing reliance on digital payments — and a lack of caution.
“Phishing scams using QR codes are on the rise,” said Rajiv Garg, a professor at Emory University. “If you don’t know where the code leads, it could be a scam.”
How to Protect Yourself
- Never hand over your phone — even briefly.
- Manually enter payment details in apps like Cash App or Venmo.
- Avoid scanning unknown QR codes on the spot.
- Keep a few small bills in your glove box for low-cost transactions.
- Enable app security settings like PINs or fingerprint verification for every payment.
Most importantly, trust your gut. If something feels off — if someone is rushing you, pressuring you, or just seems too eager — don’t engage.
Richardson’s advice? “If you’re in Atlanta and you see the water boys, don’t even press the button to roll your window down.”
