Illinois AG Charges Hometown Man, 75, Over Alleged Fake Publishers Clearing House Prize Scam Targeting Seniors

Published Oct. 29, 2026. Case statuses are current as of that date.

"You've won millions." It is one of the oldest lines in fraud, and it still works, especially on older adults. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul alleges a Cook County man used it to take more than $100,000 from seniors across the country who were told they had won a Publishers Clearing House prize but first had to send money to claim it.

On Oct. 28, 2026, Raoul's office announced that it had charged Frank Zarnay, 75, of Hometown, Illinois, in Cook County Circuit Court with 20 felony counts of theft, attempted theft and mail fraud [1].

Important: Zarnay has been charged, not convicted. The Attorney General's office said: "The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law" [1].

How the scheme allegedly worked

The Attorney General's release gives a short summary of the allegations [1]:

1. The "win." Victims were notified that they had won a Publishers Clearing House prize worth millions of dollars.
2. The catch. They were told they had to send money to Zarnay to claim their winnings.
3. The targets. Raoul's office says the scheme targeted seniors "across the country."
4. The total. Zarnay is accused of stealing more than $100,000.

Raoul alleges Zarnay "was part of a scheme," which suggests others may have been involved. The release does not name anyone else, does not say how victims were first contacted, and does not say over what period the scheme ran (details pending). The release does not describe how the mail fraud counts relate to the alleged conduct.

Publishers Clearing House is a real company that runs real sweepstakes, which is exactly why scammers borrow its name. Nothing in the release suggests the company was involved in the alleged scheme.

The person charged and his status

Frank Zarnay, 75, of Hometown, Illinois [1].

Charges filed in Cook County Circuit Court, with the maximum penalties listed by the Attorney General's office:

• One count of Class 1 felony theft, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
• Nine counts of Class 2 felony theft, each punishable by up to seven years.
• Two counts of Class 3 felony theft, each punishable by up to five years.
• One count of Class 4 felony attempted theft, punishable by up to three years.
• Seven counts of Class 3 felony mail fraud, each punishable by up to five years.

"Sentences are ultimately determined by the court," the office noted. Zarnay's next court date is Dec. 14, 2026. The release does not say whether he has entered a plea or whether he is in custody (status pending).

"The defendant targeted elderly victims with promises of financial security and then scammed them out of thousands of dollars," Raoul said. "My office will continue to work to hold scammers accountable and protect seniors from exploitation" [1]. The Attorney General's office investigated the case, and Deputy Bureau Chief Megan McGuire Bachman is prosecuting.

Red flags

These are general warning signs of this kind of scheme; not every one is alleged in this case.

• You "won" a contest you don't remember entering.
• You must pay to collect, whether it's called taxes, fees, insurance, shipping or processing. Legitimate sweepstakes never require winners to pay to receive a prize.
• The payment goes to an individual, or by cash, wire, gift card, cryptocurrency or a mailed check or money order.
• Pressure to act fast or keep the prize a secret "for security reasons."
• Repeated calls or letters after you pay, saying another fee is needed before the money can be released.

What to do if you're targeted

1. Don't send money to claim any prize. If you have to pay, it isn't a prize.
2. Check directly with the company using contact details from its official website, not from the letter, email or caller.
3. Talk to a family member or friend before responding. Scammers often tell victims not to.
4. If you've already paid, contact your bank or the payment service right away, and keep all letters, envelopes, receipts and phone records.
5. Report it. In Illinois, you can file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General's office through illinoisattorneygeneral.gov. Report mail-based fraud to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov, and any prize scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Older adults and their families can also call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.

Why seniors are targeted

Prize scams often go after older adults because they may be home to answer the phone, may have savings, and may be reluctant to tell family they were fooled. Once someone pays, their name can end up on lists that scammers share, which leads to more calls. If an older relative mentions a big prize, a gentle conversation can stop the losses.

Case status (as of Oct. 29, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status	Source
Frank Zarnay, 75, Hometown, Ill.	Cook County Circuit Court	Charged (theft, attempted theft, mail fraud; 20 felony counts); next court date Dec. 14, 2026; plea and custody status not stated; presumed innocent	[1]

Statuses can change.

Sources

1. Illinois Attorney General, "Attorney General Raoul Charges Cook County Man With Theft and Fraud Over Sweepstakes Scam Targeting Seniors," Oct. 28, 2026. https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-charges-cook-county-man-with-theft-and-fraud-over-sweepstakes-scam-targeting-seniors

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