NYC man sets dating app honey trap to recover iPhone

Musician used subterfuge and a hammer to confront crook.

The Associated Press

Posted: Jan 5, 2013 10:27 PM ET

Last Updated: Jan 5, 2013 10:06 PM ET

A New York jazz trombonist claims he recovered his lost iPhone by luring the person who found the device to his apartment using a dating app. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

A New York City musician used a combination of technology, seduction, a hammer and a bribe to reclaim his missing iPhone from a confused crook.

Jazz trombonist Nadav Nirenberg says he left the phone in a livery cab on New Year's Eve. The next morning, the 27-year-old learned via email that someone was sending messages to women using a dating app on the phone.

Nirenberg logged on to the service and offered the man a date — posing as a woman. He even posted a picture of a pretty girl.

When the culprit arrived at Nirenberg's Brooklyn apartment building with wine, the musician greeted him with a $20 US bill while holding a hammer — just in case.

The thief handed him the iPhone and left without a word.

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