From the Huntley Police:
Huntley Police Stop Sweetheart Scam – Arrest Made
Huntley, IL – On October 6, 2025, a Huntley resident in the 12200 block of Sinnet Street reported that four automobile rims worth approximately $1,400 were stolen from his garage.
The following day, the resident returned to report that he also found nearly $8,000 in cash missing from the residence.
Upon questioning family members, his brother with an intellectual disability admitted to taking the cash and the rims to pay people who had been blackmailing him.
The family reported that the victim began communicating with what appeared to be an attractive young woman via an online dating app a few days prior.
After building rapport online, the suspect requested money for living expenses and beauty maintenance, which was initially picked up at the residence by a male subject acting as a courier.
The victim was extorted on numerous occasions over the next couple of days and ultimately provided thousands of dollars in cash to the same male subject.
They had scheduled for the male subject to pick up additional cash during the afternoon hours of October 7.
Huntley Police patrol officers and detectives were then notified of the scheduled pick-up and collaborated with residents to ensure their safety while coordinating plans to intercept the suspect(s).
At approximately 5:30 pm on October 7, Taye Sallis Lewis arrived at the home to collect the money and was taken into custody by the Huntley Police Department with the assistance of an Illinois State Police task force.
He was identified as the individual who carried out all the previous cash pick-ups.
After Mr. Lewis was taken into custody, officers observed in plain view a Glock handgun with an extended magazine that was illegally stored in his vehicle.
Mr. Lewis has a valid FOID card but does not possess a Concealed Carry License (CCL).
He is charged with Theft by Deception – over $5,000 not exceeding $10,000 (Class 2 Felony) and Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony).
Mr. Lewis is currently being held at the McHenry County Jail.
The case remains under investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming.
No further details will be released at this time.
We commend the family for supporting the victim and contacting the police for help.
Scammers rely on fear, urgency, and embarrassment to trick victims, and they often target the same person again once they succeed.
By reporting suspicious activity early, residents can protect themselves and help police protect others.
We urge everyone to share this information with family, friends, and neighbors.
Awareness is our strongest defense against scams.
What is a sweetheart or romance scam
- A criminal pretends to be a romantic interest online or by phone to build trust and then asks for money, gifts, or personal information.
- Scammers often use fake photos/profiles and elaborate stories to manipulate victims emotionally.
How the scam usually works
- Scammer creates an attractive, believable online profile (social media, dating apps, classified ads).
- They quickly move the conversation to private channels (text, email, messenger, phone).
- The scammer professes strong feelings, builds emotional dependence, and isolates the victim from
friends/family. - After gaining trust, they invent an urgent problem (medical emergency, travel trouble, legal fees, business crisis) and request money.
- Payment methods requested are hard-to-trace and irreversible (wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, prepaid debit, money couriers).
- Once paid, the scammer often asks for more money or cuts contact; funds are quickly laundered through multiple accounts.
- Common red flags for the public
- Rapid declarations of love or intense emotional language soon after communicating.
- Requests to move the conversation off the original platform very early on.
- Refusal to meet in person or repeatedly canceling video/phone calls with excuses.
- Stories involving overseas deployment, business abroad, medical emergencies, or urgent legal trouble.
- Requests for money — especially via wire transfer, gift cards, crypto, Western Union, or third-party couriers.
- Profile photos that look too perfect, inconsistent, or that appear in many places online.
- Pressure to keep the relationship or financial help secret.
Typical tactics and variations - “Military/expat” angle: says they’re abroad and can’t meet physically.
- “Investment/crash” angle: asks you to invest in a scheme or hand over account access.
- “Fake emergency” angle: doctor’s bills, bail, or child/family crisis.
- “Money mule” recruitment: asks you to receive and re-send money through your accounts.
- Identity theft angle: asks for copies of ID, Social Security, bank details, or photos of checks.
How to verify someone safely - Do a reverse image search of their profile photos.
- Insist on a live video call early — scammers often avoid this or provide excuses.
- Check for inconsistent personal details or dates across conversations.
- Ask simple, verifiable questions (names of local places, details that are easy to confirm).
- Get a trusted friend or family member to review the profile and messages.
Prevention tips - Never send money or share bank/login details with someone you only know online.
- Be suspicious of requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Keep conversations on the original app/platform while you verify the person.
- Use two-factor authentication on financial and social accounts.
- Limit how much personal information you share (full name, address, birthdate, employer).
- Ask for a video call right away; if they refuse or make excuses, stop contact.
- Notify friends/family if someone online is making you uncomfortable or asking for money.
What to do if you (or someone you know) are targeted or victimized - Stop all contact immediately and preserve all evidence: screenshots, chat logs, emails, phone numbers, transaction receipts.
- Contact your local police department and provide the preserved evidence.
- Report financial losses to your bank/credit card company and request fraud holds or chargebacks where possible.
- Report the scam to national reporting agencies (FTC, IC3 or your country’s equivalent) and the platform where contact started.
- If you sent money via gift card or wire, contact the seller or transfer service immediately — recovery is unlikely but act fast.
- Offer a non-judgmental, compassionate response — emotional support is crucial.
