Fake Refund Turns Into Costly Scam: Northbrook Blotter

NORTHBROOK, IL — A resident reported losing $92,240 after an email appearing to come from Geek Squad led to a series of phone calls and a fraudulent refund scheme, according to the Northbrook Police Department.

The department's report for the week ending Oct. 30 also included other scams, credit card fraud, a stolen wallet and traffic-related charges.

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The following information was provided by the Northbrook Police Department. A charge is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

EMAIL, PHONE SCAM

A resident in the 1900 block of Greenview Road reported at 9:55 a.m. Oct. 29, that she received an email appearing to come from Geek Squad. She called the listed number about an annual subscription, requested a refund and agreed to have the person download an app onto her phone.

The person made it appear that the refund was too large and asked her to return the difference. After several calls, she was tricked into sending $92,240. When the person requested more money, she went to her bank, where employees explained it was a scam.

ONLINE GAMING SCAM

A resident in the 600 block of Ballantrae Drive reported at 1:38 p.m. Oct. 28, that she lost $11,108.96 after receiving an email appearing to come from PayPal.

The email, received Oct. 21, claimed she had won $521. She called the listed number to ask whether it was a scam. The person who answered convinced her that it was and that she needed to transfer her bank account money to protect it. She subsequently transferred money through several methods. She was working with her bank and an internet crime reporting center in hopes of recovering funds.

BANK IMPERSONATION SCAMS

A resident in the 2000 block of Maple Avenue reported at 12:57 p.m. Oct. 24, that she received a text appearing to come from her bank asking about a $440 Target charge. After she replied that she had not made the purchase, someone claiming to work in the bank's fraud department called.

She provided her account username and security passwords after being told a new card would be issued. When she was locked out of her account, her husband logged in and discovered $2,000 was missing.

A resident in the 2200 block of Founders Drive reported at 1:08 p.m. Oct. 29, that a caller claiming to represent her bank persuaded her to download several banking apps. During the conversation, the caller attempted to send $2,000 of her money to Pakistan and open a line of credit using her information. She recognized the scam and closed her bank account.

MAIL SCAM

A resident in the 2900 block of Maria Avenue reported at 1:05 p.m. Oct. 26, that he responded to a mailed offer to be paid for advertising on his vehicle.

He received instructions to send three money orders, with the report listing an amount of $2,310.15, and was promised $3,200 in reimbursement. He followed the instructions and received a $3,200 check, but his bank later told him the check had bounced.

GIFT CARD SCAM

A resident in the 2300 block of White Oak Drive reported at 8:19 a.m. Oct. 28, that he bought several discounted gift cards from a website using his bank card. When he tried to redeem them, he discovered some card numbers were fraudulent.

After disputing the purchases with his bank, he contacted the website. A representative became argumentative and told him he had all the resident's personal information. The resident planned to report the incident to an internet crime reporting center.

FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE SCAM

A resident in the 2300 block of Shermer Road reported at 2:56 p.m. Oct. 28, that he advertised a hat for sale on Facebook Marketplace and arranged to meet a buyer.

The buyer displayed what appeared to be a Zelle payment receipt, and the seller handed over the hat. The seller later learned the receipt was fake and no payment had reached his account.

WALLET THEFT

A shopper reported at 2:40 p.m. Oct. 26, that someone stole her Kate Spade wallet while she was shopping at a grocery store in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard.

She had placed the wallet in the front of her shopping cart and discovered it missing when she went to pay. She then received a fraud alert indicating her stolen credit card was being used for a $2,100.85 Target purchase.

CREDIT CARD THEFT

A resident in the 2800 block of Keystone Road reported at 5:20 p.m. Oct. 29, that a replacement credit card was stolen from a delivered package.

She had requested the new card after discovering fraudulent activity on her account. After receiving a delivery notification, she went to retrieve the package and found the card had been removed. Six fraudulent transactions totaling $109.46 appeared on the account after the theft.

CREDIT CARD FRAUD

A resident in the 1300 block of Edgewood Lane reported at 11:26 a.m. Oct. 23, that a replacement credit card was compromised as soon as he activated it. He had requested the replacement after discovering fraud on his previous card. He canceled the replacement and reported receiving packages containing goods he had not ordered.

A resident in the 2100 block of Walters Avenue reported at 3:55 p.m. Oct. 29, that he found three fraudulent transactions on his Apple credit card. He contacted Apple but received credit for only one transaction. He did not know how his card number had been compromised.

IDENTITY THEFT

A resident in the 1900 block of Ivy Lane reported at 6:23 p.m. Oct. 27, that someone used her personal information to apply for a U.S. Bank loan. She discovered the fraud after receiving a letter denying the application.

She also learned someone had used her Social Security number to obtain employment in Texas. She was working with the bank and Social Security office to address the misuse of her information.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE

The owner of a red 2014 Ford reported at 3:34 p.m. Oct. 26, that someone scratched the side of the vehicle overnight while it was parked outside in the 1900 block of Raymond Drive. A damage estimate was not available.

DUI

William J. Vavra, of Lemont, was stopped at 12:03 a.m. Oct. 23, near Dundee and Sanders roads, after an officer measured his Ford F-150 traveling 62 mph in a 40 mph zone.

The officer also observed lane changes without signals and reported that Vavra drove through a red light after the squad's emergency lights were activated. Vavra appeared intoxicated and acknowledged drinking before driving, according to the report.

He was charged with DUI, speeding, failure to use turn signals, disobeying a traffic signal and operating an uninsured vehicle. A court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 2.

SUSPENDED REGISTRATION

Zvonko Dobobrov, of Northbrook, was stopped at 10:15 p.m. Oct. 26, near Waukegan and Dundee roads, after an officer observed a Mercedes with suspended registration traveling between lanes.

Dobobrov was charged with suspended registration, improper lane usage and operating an uninsured vehicle. A court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 2.

DEATH INVESTIGATION

Officers responded at 1:02 p.m. Oct. 24, to the 2500 block of Dundee Road, after a resident expressed concern about a neighbor who had not been seen for several days. Officers determined the homeowner had died of apparent natural causes and helped extended family members contact a funeral home.

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