Kewanee, Illinois — A Carol Stream man has been arrested following an investigation into an elaborate financial scam that targeted an elderly Kewanee resident.
According to the Kewanee Police Department, on October 15, officers—assisted by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Kewanee Fire Department, Illinois State Police, and the Henry County SWAT Team—executed a controlled operation linked to the ongoing fraud case. The effort resulted in the arrest of Shrey Patel, 23.
Police said the scheme began when scammers posing as U.S. Department of the Treasury agents contacted the victim, falsely warning that her financial accounts were compromised. The suspects told her she could face legal trouble unless she immediately withdrew her savings. Following their instructions, the victim handed over a large amount of cash before authorities became involved.
On October 14, bank employees noticed unusual activity and suspected a scam. They alerted the Kewanee Police Department, which quickly intervened. Working with the victim and the bank, officers organized a controlled delivery that led directly to Patel’s arrest.
Patel was processed at the Kewanee Police Department and later taken to the Henry County Jail. On October 16, the Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office charged him with theft by deception, a Class 2 felony. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 20 at the Henry County Courthouse.
Authorities believe Patel may not have acted alone, and the investigation is continuing as detectives pursue additional leads.
