Police agencies throughout the northwest suburbs have arrested nearly two dozen suspects for what they say was a $2 million fake payroll check-cashing scheme (Sun-Times). A flurry of suspicious checks throughout the area got the attention of police and sparked a wider fraud investigation.
Those left holding the bag (i.e. worthless checks for which they paid out real cash) include Wal-Mart, Northwest Liquors in Elgin and All Credit Lenders.
The alleged ring leader of the crime scheme printed out counterfeit payroll checks, which were then cashed at several businesses across a four-county area (including Boone, Kane, McHenry and Winnebago). Ill-gotten cash was then laundered through area casinos, according to the article.
Those who had checks made out to them, accomplices who would do the ring leader's bidding, reportedly were given a small portion of the proceeds for their efforts (and legal risk).
Individual investigations began last summer, but then the various agencies pooled resources to get a better picture of what they began to realize was a larger operation:
Once several of the businesses started putting together names of the alleged offenders, police agencies got together and learned of the multi-county operation and joined forces to investigate.
A list of charges was not provided in the article, nor were the names of the accused.
-
2 Plead Guilty to Operating Check Cashing Scheme (NJ.com)
-
Dead Man at Center of Check-Cashing Scheme Would've Laughed, Say Friends (NY Daily News)
-
Hire a Chicago Criminal Attorney (FindLaw)
