Chicago Woman Accused In Lottery Scam Wanted In Kane County

KANE COUNTY, IL — An arrest warrant has been issued by a Kane County judge for a Chicago woman on a felony theft charge stemming from accusations she duped someone out of $5,000 in a reported lottery ticket scheme, according to a release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office. On Monday, Kane County Associate Judge Keith Johnson issued a warrant for the arrest of 49-year-old Janet Cruz, of the 3200 block of West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, and set her bail at $40,000, (with 10 percent to apply for bond), the release said. The woman is also wanted on two Cook County warrants for similar offenses, officials said.

A charge against Cruz for the offense of felony theft by deception has been approved by Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon, according to the release.

Kane County prosecutors report that on Aug. 8, 2019, Cruz instructed the victim in the case to withdraw $5,000 from the bank and to act as a “witness” for her so Cruz could claim a $2 million lottery prize, the release said. Prosecutors added that Cruz promised the victim $100,000 in return for her help, according to the release.

According to Batavia police's report, Cruz approached the victim on the morning of Aug. 8 and claimed to have a winning lottery ticket that she could not collect because she didn't have proper identification, the release said. A man nearby — who authorities believe to be Cruz's accomplice — offered to help, and Cruz called a phone number and spoke to someone who reportedly claimed to work for the lottery, according to the release. That person on the other end of the phone said the ticket was worth $2 million, and that if Cruz didn't have proper identification, she would need two witnesses to claim the prize, and the two witnesses would need to provide $20,000 each, officials reported.

Cruz offered the victim and the man $100,000 each for their assistance, and they drove to two banks in Batavia where the victim withdrew a total of $5,000, and gave the money to Cruz, according to the release. After she was given the money, Cruz reportedly faked an illness and asked the victim to buy medication for her, the release said. Cruz and the man then left the area while the victim was inside a store.

According to officials, Cruz is 5'5" and 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Cruz is asked to call Batavia police at 630-454-2500.