WILL COUNTY, IL — A 29-year-old California man, identified as Liwei Deng, has been charged in connection with a $39,000 scam targeting an elderly woman in Will County, authorities announced.
On Friday, June 20, 2025, around 5:30 p.m., Will County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call about suspicious activity in the 15600 block of Spencer Road. While en route, deputies were alerted that a white SUV linked to the case had been spotted at Lincoln-Way West High School.
Deputies stopped the SUV and identified the sole occupant as Liwei Deng, a Chinese national residing in California. Simultaneously, other deputies interviewed the victim at her home.
The victim reported that she received a fraudulent email around 11:00 a.m., claiming to be from an identity protection service and alerting her to a suspicious charge on her business account. She called the number provided and was convinced to allow remote access to her computer. The caller, posing as a representative, instructed her to withdraw a large sum of cash, place it in a tan envelope, and await a courier. The suspect also provided a passcode the courier would use.
Later, a man arrived on foot, gave the correct passcode, and left with the envelope containing approximately $39,000 in cash. Soon after, the victim and a relative became suspicious and contacted law enforcement.
Deputies matched Deng to witness descriptions and photographic evidence. A search of the SUV uncovered the tan envelope with about $37,000 in cash inside. Deng also had additional cash on him at the time of arrest.
Deng was taken into custody and booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility. He faces the following charges:
Theft by Deception – Victim Over the Age of 60 (Over $5,000)
Theft by Deception – $10,000 to $100,000
Authorities say Deng is already known to law enforcement and may be connected to other similar scams across Will County and throughout Illinois. Investigations into those incidents are ongoing.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office urges the public—especially seniors and caregivers—to stay alert against scams involving unsolicited emails, phone calls, or money transfer requests. Anyone who suspects fraudulent activity should contact law enforcement immediately.
