Thread: Lottery scam claims another victim

Lottery scam claims another victim
By Gene Haschak | Daily Herald Staff

A 65-year-old woman from Carpentersville was conned out of $9,000 Wednesday afternoon in what police call "the lottery scam."

The victim met another woman at a bank who said she had won the lottery. Problem was, she was an illegal immigrant and she needed $20,000 to collect her winnings.

A man then approached, saying he overheard the tale of woe, and was willing to contribute half of the $20,000, if the victim would contribute the other half.

The victim withdrew $9,000 from her savings account and gave it to the two con artists, who apparently were working together.

They told the victim her share of the winnings would be the $20,000 they placed in a bag and left in the glove box of her car.

When the victim returned to her car, she opened the bag -- which was filled with shredded pieces of newspaper. And the couple had disappeared.

A surveillance camera at the bank took photos of the man, who is in his mid-30s, is about 5-foot-6 and weighs about 170 pounds.

Carpentersville police ask anyone with information about the man in the photos to call (847) 551-3481 or the anonymous tip line at (847) 551-3488.

Numerous incidents of "the lottery scam" have been reported in Elgin over the past five years and most of its victims have been elderly women.

Carpentersville Police Commander Michael Kilbourne said, "We would like to warn the community that if you are asked to post money up front in order to make a large and fast return, the scheme has the potential for you to lose your money."

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=37833&src=5

Our Senior Citizens are so desperate for financial security they fall for this stuff. Although I believe in personal responsibility; it is also our job to protect them