Des Plaines woman scammed out of $750 by police impostor, authorities say

A 38-year-old Des Plaines woman was scammed out of $750 last week by someone posing as a Cook County sheriff’s deputy, Des Plaines police said Monday.

The woman said she was contacted by phone April 24 by someone claiming to be a deputy. The person told her she had missed a federal court date, and that there was a warrant for her arrest, according to a news release.

The woman was told she needed to pay a fine using a bitcoin machine at a gas station to terminate the warrant. She then sent the impostor the money, police said.

People should never send money to strangers when they’re contacted by phone, police have said.

“Most government agencies will contact you via mail,” Des Plaines police Cmdr. Matt Bowler said. “Make sure to confirm the caller’s validity prior to giving out any personal information.”