Florida Man Makaio' Kekoa Charged With Swindling Illinois Investors in Fake High-Yield Scheme

Case from 2026 (U.S. Attorney's Office release: Aug. 17, 2026). Published on Scammers.com Oct. 16, 2026; case status is current as of that date.

Makaio' Kekoa, 39, of Wimauma, Florida, has been indicted in federal court in Chicago on charges that he told investors he could place their money in short-term, high-yield investments that did not exist, then spent the money on himself, including on gambling, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced Aug. 17, 2026 [1].

Important: Kekoa is charged only. He has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

How the alleged scheme worked

According to the indictment as summarized by prosecutors [1]:

1. The pitch: Kekoa allegedly told victim investors, including four people living in the Northern District of Illinois, that he could invest their money in short-term, high-yield opportunities.
2. No real investments: Prosecutors allege he knew no such opportunities existed.
3. Where the money went: Instead of investing the funds, Kekoa allegedly used them for personal purposes, including gambling.
4. Losses: From 2019 to 2022, investors allegedly lost at least $180,000 combined.

The indictment also alleges Kekoa sent "lulling" text messages to reassure investors, and the two charged wire counts involve interstate transfers of about $50,000 and $5,000 [2].

The person charged

Makaio' Kekoa, 39, Wimauma, Fla. (formerly known as "Lorenzo Hood," "Lorenzo Chryssikos Hood" or "Zo") [1]

• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois; assigned to U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin.
• Charges: two counts of wire fraud.
• Plea: not guilty at arraignment in Chicago; a status hearing was set for Sept. 24, 2026.
• Statutory exposure (informational): up to 20 years per wire fraud count, as described by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
• Investigation: FBI Chicago Field Office, with help from the Hillsborough County, Fla., Sheriff's Office; prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kartik K. Raman.

Red flags

• Promises of short-term, high-yield returns with no written offering documents.
• Money sent directly to an individual's bank account rather than to a registered firm or custodian.
• Reassuring texts instead of statements when you ask where your money is.
• A promoter who is not registered as a broker or investment adviser.

What to do if you're targeted

1. Check registration of anyone offering investments through FINRA BrokerCheck or the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site.
2. Report suspected investment fraud to the FBI at ic3.gov and the SEC at sec.gov/tcr.
3. Keep records of wires, texts and any promises made to you.

Case status (as of Oct. 16, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status as of Oct. 16, 2026	Source
Makaio' Kekoa, 39, Wimauma, Fla.	N.D. Ill. (Judge Durkin)	Indicted on two counts of wire fraud; pleaded not guilty; no later outcome found in public sources as of Oct. 16, 2026	[1], [3]

An indictment is an accusation, not evidence of guilt.

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois, "Florida Man Indicted for Allegedly Swindling Victims From Illinois in Fraudulent Investment Scheme," Aug. 17, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/florida-man-indicted-allegedly-swindling-victims-illinois-fraudulent-investment-scheme
2. Indictment, United States v. Makaio' Kekoa (N.D. Ill.), posted by the U.S. Attorney's Office. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/media/1458121/dl?inline=
3. CBS Chicago, "Florida man indicted for swindling $180,000 from four people in Illinois through investment scam," Aug. 17, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/florida-man-investment-scam-wire-fraud-indictment-illinois/

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