Apple Cash terms and conditions specifically state that Apple Cash is not for business transactions and it’s like using cash. In other words you engaged in a business transaction and gave someone cash. There is no fraud protection on a cash transaction. This is no different than Venmo, Cash App, Gcash and all the other person to person transaction apps.
Please contact your local police department for assistance.
Apple Cash is a service that’s administered by Green Dot Bank. Contact an Apple Cash Specialist at Green Dot Bank by calling (877)-233-8552.
https://applecash.greendot.com/termsconditions/