West Burlington Police Investigate $6,790 EcoATM Scam Using Counterfeit Devices

Davenport Rock Island Moline, IA, October 4, 2026 — West Burlington, Iowa – Authorities are investigating a sophisticated scam that resulted in the theft of more than $6,790 from an EcoATM kiosk located at a Walmart store in West Burlington, Iowa. The West Burlington Police Department has confirmed the ongoing investigation into the fraudulent activity.

The perpetrators reportedly utilized counterfeit 3D cardboard representations of phones, alongside printed images of phone cases, to deceive the automated kiosk. This method allowed them to exploit the machine’s system and extract a significant sum of cash.

As a result of the investigation, law enforcement has made arrests in connection with the incident. Two individuals, identified as Jacob Johnson and Damone Manning, have been taken into custody. The specific charges they face have not been detailed, nor have their affiliations with the scam been fully elaborated by the police department at this time.

EcoATM kiosks are designed to allow consumers to sell old or unwanted electronics, including mobile phones, for cash. The machines typically authenticate the devices before dispensing payment. The success of this scam highlights a novel approach by fraudsters to bypass the machine’s security features.

The total amount stolen was reported as over $6,790. Further details regarding the timeline of the scam, the exact dates of the fraudulent transactions, and the specific methods used to obtain the counterfeit materials were not immediately available. The West Burlington Police Department has stated that the investigation is active and ongoing, and more information may be released as it becomes pertinent.

Story summarized from the original created by KWQC staff on www.kwqc.com, see more information here.

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