Cops: Scammer offered to 'spiritually cleanse' money

Police are looking for a woman who stole $160,000 after she claimed she would "spiritually cleanse" the money, South Elgin police said.

Police took several reports from victims who reported having given money between July 22 and Aug. 22 to a card reader who advertised in local Spanish-language newspapers, a news release stated.

The card reader directed the victims to an address in South Elgin and advised them to pay in cash and not tell family or friends, police said. The victims dropped off the money, $1,000 or more, and were told to come back later to pick up the "cleansed" money, police said.

The last victim dropped off $160,000 sown into a pillowcase and later was instructed to sleep on the pillowcase for a week. After hearing rumors it might be a scam, the victim opened the pillowcase and discovered the money had been replaced with blank pieces of paper cut into the size of U.S. currency.

By then, the card reader had left the area and has not been seen since, police said. She may reside in the Northwest suburbs.

Police are asking for the public's assistance identifying the woman, who was video recorded by one of the victims. Anyone with information is asked to call the investigations division or Sgt. Mike Doty, who speaks Spanish, at (847) 741-2151.