Green Oaks Woman, 80, Scammed Out Of $17K: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Two people accused of scamming an 80-year-old woman of Green Oaks out of $17,000 now face charges.

The investigation revealed earlier this month the victim received a fraudulent email purporting to be from PayPal, claiming she had made a purchase of more than $760, and directing her to call a phone number if she did not authorize the purchase, according to a news realize. When the victim called, scammers on the other end gained access to her bank accounts, police said.

The suspects transferred money between the victim’s accounts, then convinced her that PayPal had “refunded” her too much money, police said. They instructed her to withdraw $17,000 in cash and turn it over to them.

On September 8, the woman met with a man, who was later identified as Danny Paio, 29, of New York, NY, at a senior living center in Green Oaks. Paio took the cash from the woman while accompanied by Chul Paik, 44, of Englewood, NJ, who drove the rental vehicle used in the scheme, police said.

Sheriff’s detectives were able to utilize Flock License Plate Readers to identify the vehicle used by Paik and Paio. During their investigation, sheriff’s detectives determined Paik and Paio were the offenders involved in the scam and notified regional law enforcement of the incident.

On September 29, 2025, Elmhurst Police Officers spotted the vehicle driven by Paik and conducted a traffic stop. Lake County Sheriff’s detectives responded to interview Paik and Paio. Following their interviews, sheriff’s detectives arrested both Paik and Paio, according to a new release.

Sheriff’s detectives located more than $16,000 in their vehicle, believed to be proceeds from another fraudulent pickup they had conducted earlier yesterday, police said.

Palo and Paik have been charged with two counts of theft and both remain held in the Lake County Jail.

The incident remains under investigation.