A grocery store worker says scammers posing as Chase Bank fraud investigators drained $73,000 from his savings.
The Mariano’s employee, identified as David Lipsky, transferred the money after callers claimed the FBI would arrest him if he did not move his funds into what they called a safe account, reports ABC7 Chicago.
Lipsky says the first call appeared to come from Chase and warned that his account had been compromised.
Says Lipsky,
“They worked with the FBI, they said. If I didn’t do it, they were going to get the FBI at my house and arrest me.”
He first tried sending $1,000 through Zelle, but Chase blocked that transfer, so the scammers told him to complete three branch transfers totaling $73,000.
When he later called the real bank, he was told the money could not be recovered.
“I can’t afford this. I’m a frontline worker. I don’t make a hundred thousand dollars a year. I make an average salary. I need that money back.”
About $24,000 was later returned to his account, but he is still seeking the rest and says he needs it to keep paying his mortgage.
Palatine police obtained nationwide arrest warrants charging Jose A. Luis Mateo, 35, Fredduar A. Escobar Bautista, 28, and Breider A. Iriarte Campomar, 35, with theft by deception.
Chase says these scams are heartbreaking, that the blame lies with the perpetrators, and that the bank recovered some of Lipsky’s funds and will keep working with law enforcement.
Anyone with information can tip Palatine police at 847-359-9000.
Experts say hang up on unexpected bank fraud calls and contact your bank only through a number you look up yourself.
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