Vernon Hills, IL – An arrest has been made after an elderly resident in Lake County was allegedly scammed out of more than $27,000 in a complex internet fraud scheme, according to Vernon Hills Police.
The case began in late July when the victim received a fraudulent email claiming there had been an unauthorized withdrawal from her bank account. According to police, she was prompted by a pop-up message on her computer to call a phone number, where a man allegedly claimed her Social Security number had been compromised. She was instructed to withdraw and deliver large sums of cash to cover “secured bonds” with the U.S. Treasury.
Investigators say the victim handed over more than $20,000 in cash in her driveway to a suspect who provided a code word for verification. A week later, she allegedly delivered an additional $7,000 following further instructions.
Police identified the suspect as 54-year-old Dmytro Kariev of Skokie, who has been charged with Class 2 felony theft. He was released on bond after a September 16 court appearance at the Lake County Courthouse.
Chief Patrick L. Kreis urged residents to remain cautious: “Scams of this type are all too common and far too costly. We urge the public to be skeptical when interacting with unknown parties.”
The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives believing more victims may have been targeted. Anyone with information is asked to contact Vernon Hills Police.
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This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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