Suburban Identity Theft Scheme Reached as Far as Russia, Poland

An international identity theft scheme was halted by the FBI following an investigation on Friday that dates back to 2009. The United States Department of Justice announced that two federal grand jury indictments were handed down, charging a total of 13 individuals with a variety of offenses - from scheming to obtaining goods, cars and money illegally.

Among those charged were Peter Vana, 36, of Skokie, with three counts of wire fraud and Yaroslav Bolesta, 25, of Northbrook with one count of wire fraud.

The duo is alleged to have participated in the fraud of purchasing multiple pieces of clothing, sporting goods, electronics and even vehicles through the use of identity theft and credit card fraud. All in all, 24 counts were made against 13 defendants, some of which were against people from Moscow and Poland.

The indictment is seeking forfeiture of approximately $786,192 from all the defendants as well as $7,499 from three of the 13 defendants, authorities said. .  According to the indictment, the defendants fraudulently inflated income and assets and made fraudulent misrepresentations about the intended use of loan proceeds on loan applications they made through banks.  The indictment also alleges that misrepresentations were made and false documents created in support of a finance application for an equipment lease.

According to authorities, each count of bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Mail fraud and wire fraud counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Each count of credit card fraud carries a maximum penalty of either 10 or 15 years in prison (depending on the specific charge) and a $250,000 fine, and each count of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The announcement was made by the FBI and acting United States Attorney for the Northern District Gary Shapiro.

The charges were made against the following:

• TEIMURAZ JOBAVA, 32, of Chicago, charged with 10 counts of mail fraud, eight counts of wire fraud, two counts of credit card fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
• SEZGEY CHEZUYSHKOV, 30, of Chicago, charged with three counts of wire fraud and two counts each of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft;
• YOUNG KIM, 48, of Indianapolis, Indiana, charged with three counts of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud;
• TEMUR BAKHTADZE, 34, of Moscow, Russia, charged with five counts of mail fraud and one count of credit card fraud;
• IVO PAVLIK, 40, of Harwood Heights, Illinois, charged with two counts of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud;
• PETR VANA, 36, of Skokie, Illinois, charged with three counts of wire fraud;
• MAXIM POLUEKTOV, 34, of Chicago, charged with one count of wire fraud;
• YAROSLAV BOLESTA, 25, of Northbrook, Illinois, charged with one count of wire fraud;
• IAZON SHONIA, 36, of Tblisi, Republic of Georgia, charged with one count of wire fraud;
• MAREK BAJORSKI, 48, of Chicago, charged with one count each of mail fraud and wire fraud;
• ALICJA MIGALA, also known as ALICJA CIESLAK, 31, of Poland, charged with two counts of wire fraud;
• MATEUSZ CIESLAK, 31, of Poland, charged with one count of wire fraud; and
• SYLWIA MACKOWSKA JANIK, 37, of Schiller Park, Illinois, charged with two counts of mail fraud.

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