Man Facing Numerous Financial Fraud Charges Involving Des Plaines Bank

A man from Carpentersville has been charged with one felony count each of Forgery, Fraudulent Identification Card, Financial Institution Fraud and Aggravated Identity, and Theft Against a Person 60 Years of Age or Older in connection with a Des Plaines bank.

On Dec. 4 a senior member of Wintrust Bank came into the Des Plaines Police station to report fraud that had occurred at the downtown Village Bank and Trust, a subsidiary of Wintrust Bank, in the 1500 block of Ellinwood Street. The employee said that on Sept. 5, 2022, the subject, later identified to be Robert Krilich, 57, of 6010 Sanders Ct., Carpentersville, came into the Des Plaines bank branch location to open a savings account. The man allegedly provided the representative with a government service ID card, insurance card, and Nevada driver's license. Police said that after opening the account, Krilich deposited four savings bonds.

On Oct. 14, a report was run on the account opened because it was allegedly overdrawn by approximately $20,756 due to chargebacks. This report alerted the branch of possible fraud and an internal investigation launched.

The result of the investigation was that the account was allegedly opened with fraudulent information and that two of the bonds provided at the time were verified as fraudulent. On Dec. 3 Krilich entered the Wintrust Bank in the 300 block of E. Ohio Street in Chicago to open an additional account. The employee that was assisting Krilich asked if he would be willing to return to the location on Monday, Dec. 5, due to the branch unexpectedly being busy. The employee, police said, had recognized Krilich from an internal flier regarding his suspected fraudulent activity and wanted to arrange an alternative time for him to come in so police could be notified. Krilich agreed and in the meantime, the senior representative of the bank filed the above report with Des Plaines police. The incident was immediately assigned to the Des Plaines Police Detective Bureau for follow-up.

During a detective's investigation, he ran the information on the identifications Krilich had provided the bank which led to the victim and noting that he was over 60 years of age. The detective contacted the victim who stated that he lives out of state and that he had never possessed a Nevada driver's license, did not open a bank account through Wintrust Bank, nor did he authorize anyone to do so in his name. The Social Security number and the rest of the information was cross referenced with the victim's and all matched.

On Dec. 5, detectives began surveilling the Wintrust Bank in Chicago around the time Krilich was to come in. While doing so, police said, Krilich walked into the branch and again spoke with an employee attempting to open a checking account with another name, not related to the original victim. Detectives approached Krilich and took him into custody. A search of Krilich was conducted and amongst items located were the fraudulent documentation mentioned above for the victim, said police. Krilich was transported to the Des Plaines Police station for further investigation.

Des Plaines detectives also obtained video footage from inside of the Village Bank and Trust and along with speaking with the employee that had opened the account for Krilich, allegedly identified Krilich as the subject. At the station, detectives provided Krilich with his Miranda Rights which he allegedly acknowledged that he understood and waived them agreeing to give a statement. During the statement, Krilich, said police, admitted to receiving numerous ID cards and documents from out of state which he used to open bank accounts. A still image of the subject was shown to Krilich from one of the banks. Reports said he identified himself and admitted to specifically using fraudulent IDs to open a bank account in the victim's name. He also said that after depositing the fraudulent bonds he withdrew $20,000, added reports.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office was contacted and due to the nature of the incident and the age of the victim, approved felony charges on Krilich. Krilich was held until the following morning where he was transported to the Cook County Courthouse in Skokie for bond hearing

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