Des Plaines woman victimized by gift card scammer: police

A Des Plaines resident fell victim to a scammer who said she’d be entered in a contest if she sent the caller money, police said.

The scam occurred between Friday, Jan. 2, and Monday, Jan. 5. The 90-year-old victim was instructed to buy gift cards and give the caller the numbers, police said in a news release.

The woman subsequently purchased about $2,000 worth of Amazon gift cards and gave the numbers to the scammer.

People need to be cautious when contacted by strangers over social media, communication apps, text messages or the phone, Des Plaines police have said, and they never should send money to strangers when contacted this way.