Woman loses $98,000 to scammers posing as federal agents, bank employees in Des Plaines

A 55-year-old woman was duped out of some $98,000 by scammers purporting to be federal agents and bank employees, Des Plaines police said Friday.

In a police report filed Thursday, the victim said she was contacted June 29 by someone claiming to work for Chase Bank who stated her account was hacked. The subject requested the victim withdraw money and meet in person at various locations to hand over the cash, police said.

At one point, the person claimed to be a federal agent and needed to meet in person to ensure the money’s safekeeping, according to police.

The victim handed over the cash to two men and one woman during four separate meetings — mostly at gas stations — on June 29 and 30, said Cmdr. Matt Bowler.

Daily Herald staff writer Russell Lissau contributed to this report.