Woman Trades Wedding, Engagement Rings, Loses $20,000 in Diamond Scam

Photo caption: Police believe the woman pictured above was involved in a diamond scam.

A woman is out $20,000 and no longer has her wedding or engagement rings after she became the victim of a diamond scam in St. Charles earlier this month, police said.

The female victim was approached inside Jewel-Osco, 2073 Prairie St., at about 3 p.m. on June 1 by a male who identified himself as Oscar Lopez, according to a St. Charles Police Department press release.

He explained that he found a diamond at a cleaning job where he is employed and needed a ride to Meijer. Another female overheard this conversation and stated she needed a ride to Meijer as well, according to the news release.

The victim drove the two to Meijer where Lopez showed them five diamonds and three gold coins, police said.

The unknown female said she would take the items into Meijer to be appraised by a friend. She returned to the vehicle and stated the largest diamond was valued at $10,000.

She then re-entered Meijer where she claimed to have “sold” the diamond for that value. The victim then dropped off the other female across the street.

The victim drove Lopez to her house where she paid him $20,000 for the remaining diamonds, and traded her wedding and engagement rings for a fifth diamond and coin.

She later had the diamonds appraised and found they were worthless.

Lopez is described as approximately 40 years old, 5-feet seven-inches tall with a heavy build and black curly hair. The female was described as 35 to 40 years old, 5-feet 10-inches tall, 110 pounds with black hair.

Law enforcement is aware of organized, nationwide, traveling diamond scammers that specifically target Hispanic and Asian women in retail establishments.

The St. Charles Police Department would like to remind residents to remain alert when out in public.

Police are asking anybody who may be able to identify the female suspect, or who may have fallen victim to this scam, to contact the investigations section directly at 630-443-3743.

Those with information may also remain anonymous and utilize the department’s crime tip line at 1-800-378-4267. The tip line also is available online www.stcharlesil.gov/report-crimedrug-tip.