Introduction to the Scam
LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — Felony charges have been filed against two men accused of scamming a Lake County woman out of $17,000.
Danny Paio, a 29-year-old New York resident and Chul Paik, a 44-year-old New Jersey resident, have each been charged with two felony counts of theft.
The Scam Unfolds
Lake County deputies say the charges stem from the duo’s alleged role in a scheme to con an 80-year-old woman out of thousands by posing as representatives for the online payment service PayPal.
According to deputies, an investigation into the incident revealed that the scheme began earlier this month after the duo allegedly sent the victim, an 80-year-old Green Oaks resident, an email claiming to be representatives from PayPal.
The Email Scam
The email allegedly claimed that the victim had made a purchase of more than $760 and instructed her to call a phone number if she did not authorize the purchase. But deputies said when she called the number, the scammers on the other end were able to gain access to her bank accounts.
The scheme allegedly continued when deputies say the suspects then transferred money between the victim’s accounts, then allegedly convinced her that the money was the result of an accidental refund.
The Cash Handover
In order to correct the purported error, the suspects allegedly instructed the victim to withdraw $17,000 in cash and turn it over to them in person.
The suspects allegedly coordinated a meetup with the victim, and on Sept. 8, Paio and Paik allegedly met her at a senior living center in Green Oaks, where they allegedly took the cash.
Investigation and Arrest
After learning about the alleged scheme, deputies began an investigation and were able to identify the rental car the duo was allegedly using to pick up the money, using license plate reading cameras.
After identifying Paio and Paik as suspects in the case, Lake County deputies notified regional law enforcement agencies.
Elmhurst police eventually spotted the vehicle on Monday and after calling in Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives for help, Paik and Paio were taken into custody.
Evidence and Charges
Following their arrests, deputies said more than $16,000 was found in the vehicle, which they believed to be proceeds from another fraudulent pickup they had allegedly conducted earlier in the day.
“This case is another reminder of how far criminals will go to target and exploit vulnerable victims. I am proud of the work of our detectives, who quickly identified and apprehended these suspects, and I am grateful for the ongoing collaboration we have with our partners across the region”
Both Paio and Paik were held at the Lake County Jail pending a detention hearing set to take place Tuesday morning.
Authorities did not provide booking photos for Paio or Paik.
Conclusion
The case of the duo accused of scamming a Lake County woman out of $17,000 by posing as PayPal representatives highlights the importance of being vigilant and cautious when dealing with online transactions and communications. It is essential to verify the authenticity of emails, phone calls, and other forms of communication to avoid falling victim to scams.
FAQs
Q: What was the nature of the scam?
A: The scam involved posing as representatives of PayPal and convincing the victim to withdraw $17,000 in cash and hand it over to the scammers.
Q: How did the scammers gain access to the victim’s bank accounts?
A: The scammers gained access to the victim’s bank accounts after she called a phone number provided in an email claiming to be from PayPal.
Q: What was the outcome of the investigation?
A: The investigation led to the arrest of two suspects, Danny Paio and Chul Paik, who were charged with two felony counts of theft each.
Q: What can be done to avoid falling victim to similar scams?
A: It is essential to verify the authenticity of emails, phone calls, and other forms of communication, and to be cautious when dealing with online transactions.
