High IQ not necessary and, in point of fact, is actively discouraged …

From the “I see it, but can’t believe it” files:

Man out $200,000 in online scam

A 48-year-old Naperville man thought a woman he had an online relationship with for 2 ½ years, had been kidnapped. After all, he had given her $200,000 of his money during that time.

But a Naperville police report said the man “was in disbelief” when he found out the woman wasn’t in danger — in fact, she never existed.

The report stated the man called police Feb. 23 to say she had been kidnapped in London, and was seeking an officer’s help to find her. But after speaking with an officer, the man found out he had fallen victim to a scam. In all, the man sent $200,000 to Nigeria, Malaysia, England and the United States under the assumption he was sending it to the acquaintance.

“Whoever it is duped this person,” said Naperville Police Sgt. Gregg Bell. He said the case is under investigation but it is unlikely anyone will be caught. “We’ll investigate as much as we can.”

Bell said the “woman” apparently gave the victim a Florida driver’s license to prove her identity, but police found the identification was simply a sample license from the state. Bell said the man never met the individual in person.

By Mick Swasko
TribLocal reporter