Sebastian Chelemen : “Canadian National Sentenced for Defrauding Central IL Seniors with Impersonation Scams”

Canadian National Sentenced For Impersonation Scams Central IL Seniors
Defrauding Central IL Seniors Through Impersonation Scams Canadian National.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : A Canadian citizen who was indicted by a federal grand jury last summer for allegedly defrauding multiple elderly individuals across Central Illinois has been sentenced to more than 4 years in federal prison. 37-year-old Sebastian Chelemen entered a guilty plea to wire fraud on February 21st in Springfield federal court. According to a federal complaint filed in June of last year, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office received a report from an elderly rural Springfield couple who believed they had fallen victim to a scam, losing several thousands of dollars in the process. The couple received a phone call from someone claiming to be their grandson, stating that they had been in a car accident and arrested by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. They were asked to provide $14,000 for bail. Subsequent calls were made by various individuals, including one posing as the grandson’s attorney. A person arrived at the couple’s home to collect the money and drove away. However, it was later revealed that the couple’s real grandson had not been involved in any accident or arrest. Surveillance footage helped identify the suspect as Chelemen.

Chelemen was apprehended by Sangamon County authorities on June 14, 2023, at the Red Roof Inn on Singer Avenue in Springfield. His cell phone was seized, along with over $138,000 in cash that he had allegedly obtained through a scheme orchestrated over social media platforms Telegram and Wickr, in collaboration with another individual in Canada.

Investigators from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI found that victims between the ages of 75 and 88 had been targeted in the scheme across Springfield, Jacksonville, Riverton, Christian County, and Fulton County. The investigation into this fraudulent operation is still ongoing, with no additional charges filed as of now. To protect the victims’ identities, the criminal complaint was sealed by the court.

Yesterday, Federal Judge Sue Myerscough sentenced Chelemen to 50 months in federal prison, with an additional 2 years of mandatory supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution exceeding $460,000 and a special assessment of $100 to the court. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding against financial scams targeting vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly..

Canadian National Sentenced For Defrauding Central IL Seniors Through Impersonation Scams – WLDS

1. Canadian National Sentenced For Defrauding Central IL Seniors Through Impersonation Scams – WLDS
2. Canadian National Sentenced For Impersonation Scams – WLDS.