Man Loses $29,000 In Online Bank Fraud

On Feb. 26, a Niles man, 66, reported to police he transferred $29,000 on Nov. 6 from his bank into what he believed was a bank in London. He received a notification back in November that the transaction was suspicious and that he should freeze the funds immediately, but he did not, according to the police report. In December, he became worried about the transaction and contacted his bank, which advised him to come in immediately and file a police report.  The man's bank told police they will cooperate fully, but they believe little can be done to recover the funds, which they say have been deposited and claimed, according to the report.

The reason the victim gave for transferring the money was that he wanted to receive higher interest rates on the funds, according to the police report. He told police he was led to believe he was dealing directly with a bank website. He also spoke to someone by phone.

A Niles police officer reviewed the wire transfer request and noticed it was directed to a credit account. Police gave him information about starting a fraud claim with his bank.

Man charged with felony for driving on revoked license

Gaudencio Martinez, 32, of Wheeling was charged with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated revoked driving. Police stopped him Feb. 25 just after 3 p.m. for driving on Milwaukee Avenue with a loud muffler and obstructed windshield, according to the report. 

After police stopped him, he showed them a Mexican ID, and they checked a state database which showed his driver's license as revoked, police said. An assistant state's attorney approved the felony charge based upon Martinez' arrest and driving record, the report indicated. He was also cited for speeding and having an obstructed windshield and loud muffler. His court date is March 11 in the Skokie branch of the Cook County courts.

Suspicious activity case

In a suspicious activity case Feb. 27 just after 4 a.m. in the 7300 block of Greenleaf, someone reported a man was driving his car back and forth on the street. Police located a 22-year-old Evanston man who told them he was supposed to meet his girlfriend but his phone battery died, according to the report. He had an order of protection against him but was not at the protected address or with the protected person, police said, and he was sent on his way. 

Information is taken from Niles Police Department reports.

Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch on Facebook

Get Niles and Morton Grove news in a daily email from Patch. It's free. Learn more.