Latest news with #CashApp
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
Former Florida student schemed to overturn his conviction in friend's 2012 murder
The murder of University of Florida freshman Christian Aguilar shocked the campus and his hometown of Miami in 2012. More than a decade later, the case took stunning new turns, authorities alleging an elaborate scheme orchestrated from behind prison walls by the man convicted of killing him. Pedro Bravo was serving a life sentence in a Florida prison after he was convicted of first-degree murder and six other counts in Aguilar's death in 2014. Aguilar had been dating Bravo's former girlfriend Erika Friman, who was also a high school friend of the two men. "I was the art kid, and I was cracking jokes... and now I'm in a place where there's hardened criminals, people that have done serious things, and to add to all that, they're also calling me my best friend's killer," Pedro Bravo told "20/20" in his only interview before his death in March 2025. A new "20/20" episode, "They Know Everything," airing Friday, June 20, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu, examines the case. You can also get more behind-the-scenes of each week's episode by listening to "20/20: The After Show" weekly series right on your "20/20" podcast feed on Mondays, hosted by "20/20" co-anchor Deborah Roberts. In May 2025, two people pleaded guilty for their roles in what prosecutors called a plot by Bravo to overturn his conviction. Kelcie Edwards pleaded guilty to fraud for providing false testimony, while Michael Angelo pleaded guilty to perjury for falsely recanting his original trial testimony. According to investigators, the supposed plot unraveled after they discovered that Edwards was connected to Bravo through a fellow inmate, Brandon Campbell, with whom Edwards had two children. Digging into Edwards' phone and financial records, investigators uncovered a cache of secret messages and Cash App transactions between Bravo and Edwards. "They know everything," Campbell said to Edwards in one of a series of recorded calls which helped investigators uncover Bravo's alleged scheme. Campbell was not charged in the case and authorities said he was fully cooperative in the investigation. Investigators said Edwards claimed to be an eyewitness who saw Aguilar walk away alive after a fight with Bravo in 2012. Once the connection between Edwards and Campbell was discovered, the rest of Bravo's plan came to light, according to authorities. "I'm shocked by the complexity of it and the depth of it," State Attorney Brian Kramer told "20/20." "The amount of subterfuge, lies and creation of false evidence, is beyond what we would ever see." Around the same time Edwards came forward, Angelo, who had testified at Bravo's original trial about an alleged jailhouse confession, recanted his testimony. He previously testified that Bravo revealed details about the murder that only the killer would know. The elaborate plot by Bravo was his final attempt at freedom in a decade-long saga that began as a missing persons case in September 2012. It was then that Aguilar vanished after a routine day on the University of Florida campus. Aguilar's disappearance was first reported by his girlfriend Erika Friman, and Bravo, his high school best friend. The connection between the three former classmates from Miami's Doral Academy Charter School would later prove crucial to understanding the crime. While Bravo claimed to be "OK" with Friman dating his best friend, his private journals told a different story. "Every time that we would ask him questions, it seemed the version would change a little bit," former Gainesville Police Detective Randy Roberts told "20/20" in reference to Bravo's evolving explanations of what happened the day Aguilar disappeared. For three weeks, hundreds of volunteers searched the dense woods and swamps around Gainesville for any sign of Aguilar. His father, Carlos Aguilar, told "20/20" he made a promise: "We're not leaving. We don't care if we lose the house. We don't care if we lose everything. Christian is missing, we are going to find Christian." Meanwhile, evidence began contradicting Bravo's story. Police found surveillance footage of him cleaning his vehicle at 1 a.m. at a local car wash, focusing particularly on the undercarriage. A receipt showed he had purchased a shovel and Gatorade from Lowes. The investigation took a turn when forensic analysis of Bravo's computer revealed disturbing searches including "Where can I bury a body?" and "How many sleeping pills will it take to kill someone?" In October 2012, hunters discovered Aguilar's body in a shallow grave in Levy County. Bravo was charged with first-degree murder and later convicted. It wasn't until over a decade later, in correspondence with Edwards about his scheme to overturn his conviction, that Bravo finally admitted to killing Aguilar, although his version of events differed from what prosecutors alleged. "He said that they fought and he left him there, like he'd said in trial, but this time he admitted that Christian passed away in his car. He panicked, and ultimately went out and buried him," prosecutor Tom Mullins told "20/20." "To my knowledge, other than the confession he made to Mr. Angelo, this was the first time he'd ever come close to actually confessing to that murder." On March 12, 2025, Bravo died by suicide at the Okeechobee Correctional Institution. His death came shortly before Edwards and Angelo pleaded guilty to their roles in Bravo's failed scheme. Angelo was sentenced to seven years in prison, while Edwards will serve five years' probation.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Angel Reese Makes Personal Announcement on Thursday
Angel Reese Makes Personal Announcement on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Angel Reese has continued to prove that she's one of the top players in the WNBA, working through her second season with the Chicago Sky. Advertisement Reese has already been named an All-Star in her WNBA career, and she's looking to make the prestigious list yet again this season. During her second season with the Sky, Reese has trademarked the term "Mebounds." As one of the best rebounders in the WNBA, Reese has received several nicknames. Her rebounding which she's found great success on the offensive end, are now coined "mebounds." On Thursday, Reese announced that she has dropped merchandise with the "mebounds" term. She mentioned that part of the proceeds from the merchandise will go to the Angel C. Reese Foundation to help fight against cyberbullying. Advertisement "MEBOUNDS, REESEBOUNDS, REBOUNDS… MERCH AVAILABLE NOW," Reese said. "Part of the proceeds are going to go to the Angel C. Reese foundation to help fight against cyberbullying! SHOP NOW! LINK IN BIO!! #hatingpaystoo." Angel Reese has made an incredible name for herself as not only a basketball player, but as a businesswoman. Amid her growing popularity in the WNBA landscape, Reese has made several moves off the court, such as her signature deal with Reebok, partnership with Cash App, and deals with Beats by Dre and McDonald's. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images In her second season with the Chicago Sky, Angel Reese has posted 11.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. She's been a steady force in the paint, serving as the Sky's leading rebounder. Advertisement The Sky have certainly struggled with their 3-8 record, ranked as the No. 11 team in the WNBA standings. Related: Chicago Sky React to Angel Reese Announcement Before Indiana Fever Game Related: Indiana Fever Make Natasha Howard Announcement on Tuesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Coach Reacts to Angel Reese News on Thursday
Chicago Sky Coach Reacts to Angel Reese News on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky dropped to 3-8 during the 2025 WNBA season after Tuesday's loss to the Washington Mystics. The 79 to 72 loss gave the Mystics a 5-7 record and sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Advertisement Second-year forward Angel Reese followed up her first career triple-double on Sunday with a 17-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist performance against the Mystics. A day after the game, Reese made headlines again when she partnered with Cash App to rebuild the outdoor basketball courts at Oakwood Beach in Chicago, Illinois. The two courts are now named "Angel's Court" and are located near the water. New Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh has been a big supporter of Reese, who was a WNBA All-Star in 2024, since he took over at the beginning of the season. On Thursday, he spoke to the media about Reese's gesture and praised the second-year forward out of LSU. Advertisement "This whole court is really cool," Marsh said. "It's awesome, it was an awesome moment. It's something she should be proud of so we're really proud of it for her as well." Reese is averaging 11.0 points and 11.7 rebounds this season, which is still down from her 13.6-point and 13.1-rebound per game averages in 2024. Her 11.7 rebounds per contest still lead the WNBA in 2025. Her assist numbers are way up compared to last year, as she is averaging 3.6 per contest this season as opposed to just 1.9 last season. The Sky are back in action on Saturday against the 9-4 Phoenix Mercury. Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Advertisement Related: Chicago Sky Coach Turns Heads With Angel Reese Gesture on Tuesday Related: Angel Reese's Old Nickname Surfaces After Chicago Sky Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Motor 1
2 days ago
- Motor 1
‘Apple/Samsung/Google Pay Use Tokens Instead:' Woman Reaches for Tap-to-Pay Option at Gas Station. Then She Takes a Closer Look
Mobile payments are fast, secure, and frictionless, unless you're tapping into the wrong system. One viral video is raising questions about how trust in tech can be exploited, one gas pump at a time. In a recent TikTok clip, St. Louis-based creator Martice (@lovemartice) gives an up-close look at the potential scam that could give billing and payment access to bad actors rather than the honest retailers trying to make purchases as simple as possible. 'We gotta stop doing tap-to-pay at the gas stations,' she warns in the video that's been viewed more than 70,000 times. Beware of Scammers' Stickers The scam at the heart of the video is surprisingly low-tech. A scammer prints a personal payment QR code , usually linked to platforms like Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal, and slaps it on or near a gas pump's tap-to-pay terminal. These decals often mimic the design of legitimate payment prompts, leading distracted drivers to assume they're paying the gas station. Instead, they're unknowingly sending money directly to the scammer. What's worse: when you tap your phone, the payment goes through instantly, but the pump doesn't start. That confusion is exactly what scammers count on. Unlike traditional credit card skimming, which steals and reuses card data, this tactic doesn't compromise your bank account or identity. It simply spoofs your behavior, rerouting your money to someone else while leaving your financial credentials untouched. Legitimate tap-to-pay readers at gas stations are integrated directly into the pump's authorization system, meaning the pump won't dispense gas unless the station's point of sale network verifies the transaction. If you pay a scammer instead, the pump stays inactive, but your money is already gone. While frustrating, this makes the scam easy to detect in hindsight: no gas, confirmation, or transaction on the pump's display. Tokens Enhance Security Tap-to-pay systems, including mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, operate on standards developed by EMVCo, a global consortium owned by major payment networks including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and UnionPay. EMVCo sets the protocols for secure contactless and chip-based payments, ensuring data is encrypted and tokenized during transactions. These standards make tap-to-pay transactions resistant to traditional fraud like card skimming. The good news is that contactless payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are, by design, among the safest forms of payment. These systems use tokenization , which replaces your card number with a unique, encrypted token for each transaction. Even if someone were to intercept it, it wouldn't be reusable. More Scamming Someone Deepfaked Ferrari CEO's Voice and Tried to Scam the Company How I Was Scammed Out Of $200 Trying To Buy My Dream Porsche Worldwide, fraudulent transactions, even including all card-present and card-not-present fraud, make up only about 0.01%–0.05% of daily transactions . This aligns with findings in the UK , where only 0.0151% of total contactless spending was linked to fraud. That said, the security of the technology doesn't eliminate the risk of social engineering, and that's exactly what this sticker scam exploits. You're not being hacked; you're being misled. To avoid this kind of deception , the best defense is awareness and scrutiny. Always take a quick look at the payment terminal before tapping. Legitimate payment prompts will be consistent across pumps and typically part of the pump's design or embedded touchscreen. If you see a paper sticker with a Venmo handle or QR code placed awkwardly on the machine, that's an immediate red flag. Many gas stations offer official apps or loyalty programs, such as Exxon Mobil Rewards+ or Shell's Fuel Rewards, that integrate contactless payment and provide extra security. If something feels off, step inside and pay at the counter. If you do spot a suspicious sticker or believe you've sent money to a scammer, you can file a fraud report directly through the payment platform you used—whether that's Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal. You should also alert the gas station manager so they can remove the sticker and inspect other pumps, and consider filing a local police report. Part of what makes this scam so effective is how quickly and habitually many of us use tap-to-pay. As mobile wallets have become more common, used by 53% of smartphone users in the U.S. as of 2023, so has our reliance on speed and ease over vigilance. Scammers aren't cracking systems or defeating encryption. They're exploiting muscle memory. A fake sticker takes seconds to place and can blend easily with a cluttered pump, especially at night or in bad weather. Motor1 reached out to Martice via direct message and to EMVCo via a website submission form. We'll update this article if either responds. Now Trending 'Watched Too Much Fast & Furious:' MK4 Toyota Supra Evades Police on Highway. Then a Trooper Conducts 'Insane' PIT Maneuver 'Can't Unsee It:' Why Are Drivers Flipping Their Ford Logos Around? Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Angel Reese Turns Heads With Announcement on Wednesday
Angel Reese Turns Heads With Announcement on Wednesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky continue to ride the success of Angel Reese. While Chicago struggled for much of the season, Reese has been a bright spot for first-year head coach Tyler Marsh and his staff. Advertisement The Sky recently played the Washington Mystics, where they fell 79-72. Reese was named the Chicago Sky's "Player of the Game" for the matchup, posting 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. As she continues to improve on the court, Reese also made an impact outside of the white lines. On Wednesday, Reese announced that she collaborated with Cash App to design a new court in Chicago, home of the Chicago Sky. "New court in Chicago," Reese said. "So blessed to be able to do this in a second city that I can now call HOME." Reese shared the news with over 4.9 million followers on social media. "Come play," posted Angel Reese in collaboration with Cash App."📍Angel's Court Oakwood Beach Chicago, Illinois." Upon the release of the announcement, some fans took to social media, sharing their thoughts on the move by Angel Reese. Advertisement "Oh this is siiiiiick ☁️☀️" said one fan. "Seriously stunning! I just know the kids who play on this are going to love it," said another fan. "Court designer snapped," mentioned one fan. "Captures Chicago perfectly❤️🔥" commented one fan. "Love this court and the hidden court too 😎💪🏾" said one fan. "When boo. This is by my house," said another fan. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese walks on the court.© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images In her second season with the Chicago Sky, as Reese looks to make her second WNBA All-Star game, the forward averaged 11.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Related: Indiana Fever Dealt Unfortunate News on Monday Related: Angel Reese Earns New Nickname from WNBA on Sunday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
