Barrington police warn residents about possible scams

Barrington resident loses thousands in scam phone call

Posted 3/21/18

A 17-year-old Barrington boy called police on Wednesday, March 14, when he grew concerned about his mother falling victim to a scam.

Police discovered that the boy's mother had received a call …

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Barrington police warn residents about possible scams

Barrington resident loses thousands in scam phone call

Posted

A 17-year-old Barrington boy called police on Wednesday, March 14, when he grew concerned about his mother falling victim to a scam.

Police discovered that the boy's mother had received a call from someone claiming to be an official with the Canadian Border Patrol. The caller told the woman that her husband — he was out of town on business — had been arrested and she needed to pay his bail money.

The Barrington woman, who spoke broken English, went to a local bank and withdrew money from her account. She then went to Walmart and purchased four $1,000 gift cards and shared the card numbers with the caller. Police said the woman was also instructed to send more money via Western Union, which she did.

The woman was later able to reach her husband, who said he was fine and the call was a scam. Police officers were eventually able to reach the woman, but not before she had been robbed of nearly $7,000.

Police are working to track down the caller.

Barrington Police Chief John LaCross said residents should call Barrington Police at 437-3930 before transferring any money to possible scammers.

"Call us so we can determine if it's a scam," he said. "We can help guide you through it."

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