Des Plaines man scammed out of $24,567 with Afghanistan ruse

A Des Plaines resident was scammed out of $24,567 between March 15 and 18, Des Plaines police said.

A man phoned the victim and told him his identity, social security number and passport were being used by a subject in Afghanistan who was in custody for money laundering.

The victim was told he had to send $1,428 via MoneyGram to verify his identity. Over the next few days, various people called him and related additional problems and that he needed to send more money to deal with them. He sent a total of $24,567, not including fees.