Buffalo Grove woman accused of $3.5M fraud scheme targeting multiple victims

Buffalo Grove woman accused of $3.5M fraud scheme targeting multiple victims

A suburban Chicago woman is accused of scamming multiple people out of millions of dollars in a scheme that lasted several years.

CHICAGO - A suburban Chicago woman is accused of orchestrating a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme over several years, according to a federal indictment.

The backstory:

Tatiana Bazer, 40, of Buffalo Grove,  allegedly scammed several victims out of $3.5 million between late 2021 and early 2026, convincing them their money would support important causes, federal prosecutors revealed. 

Prosecutors say Bazer told people their money would go toward things like immigration services, projects in Ukraine, or short-term loans to help her out of personal situations, including a supposed shoplifting arrest or claims that she needed money to access frozen bank accounts that didn’t actually exist.

Some people handed over hundreds of thousands of dollars. Instead of using the money the way she said she would, investigators say Bazer spent much of it on herself, including purchases tied to luxury items.

To keep people from getting suspicious, Bazer allegedly sent fake documents, including bank statements showing millions of dollars, checks that weren’t real, and wire transfer confirmations that made it look like money was on the way.

In some cases, she even signed agreements promising to pay people back within a certain timeframe, even though prosecutors say she never planned to follow through.

The indictment also laid out specific examples, including a $100,000 wire transfer from one victim, a $500,000 check image sent by text, and smaller payments sent through apps like Zelle, Western Union, and Cash App.

After learning she was under investigation, prosecutors say Bazer took things a step further. She pretended to be FBI agents, a prosecutor, and a defense attorney. She allegedly used those fake identities to convince people their money would be returned and, in some cases, to get even more money from them.

What they're saying:

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office, which supported the federal investigation, shared the following statement with FOX Chicago:

"The Secretary of State’s Securities Department assisted in this investigation through an ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

"The Secretary of State’s office is committed to holding fraudsters accountable, especially those who exploit trust, hardship, or world events to deceive victims. Scams succeed by creating urgency and preying on emotion. Illinoisans should be on high alert for anyone who pressures them to send money urgently or makes promises that can’t be independently verified, those are classic warning signs of fraud."

What's next:

Bazer was arrested on March 19. Over the government’s objection, a judge ordered her released on a $100,000 bond with conditions, including that she not contact victims or try to get money from others, prosecutors said.

She is charged with seven counts of wire fraud and two counts of impersonating a federal law enforcement officer. She has pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison for each fraud count and up to three years for each impersonation charge. Prosecutors are also trying to recover at least $3.5 million.

She is scheduled to be back in court on April 21, 2026.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim is encouraged to contact the FBI at TBazerVictims@fbi.gov.