Buffalo Grove Woman Tatiana Bazer Charged With $3.5 Million Fraud and Posing as FBI Agents

Case from 2026 (U.S. Attorney's Office release: March 31, 2026). Published on Scammers.com Oct. 16, 2026; case status is current as of that date.

Tatiana Bazer, 40, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, has been indicted on charges that she swindled multiple victims out of at least $3.5 million by falsely claiming their money would go to immigration services, projects in Ukraine and other needs, and then pretended to be FBI agents, a prosecutor and a defense attorney to keep victims from pressing for their money, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced March 31, 2026 [1].

Important: Bazer is charged only. She has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

How the alleged scheme worked

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

1. False purposes: Bazer allegedly told victims their money would be used for projects in Ukraine, immigration services, or as loans to help her resolve a supposed shoplifting arrest.
2. Large sums: Some victims allegedly gave her hundreds of thousands of dollars.
3. Personal use: She allegedly spent much of the money on other things, including herself.
4. Fake records: She allegedly sent victims bogus wire transfer receipts and fraudulent checks to hide the fraud.
5. Fake officials: After learning federal agents were investigating, she allegedly pretended to be FBI agents, a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney to convince victims her case would be resolved and they would be repaid.

The person charged

Tatiana Bazer, 40, Buffalo Grove, Ill. [1]

• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
• Charges: seven counts of wire fraud and two counts of impersonating a federal law enforcement officer.
• Plea: not guilty at arraignment; a status hearing was set for April 21, 2026.
• Statutory exposure (informational): up to 20 years per wire fraud count and up to three years per impersonation count.
• Investigation: FBI Chicago Field Office, with assistance from the Illinois Secretary of State's Securities Department.

The FBI asks anyone who may be a victim of fraud allegedly committed by Bazer to report it to the FBI [1].

Red flags

• A personal acquaintance asking for large sums for causes abroad or legal trouble.
• Wire "receipts" or checks that don't clear.
• Calls from people claiming to be FBI agents or prosecutors who say your money will come back if you wait. Real agents don't negotiate repayment on behalf of a suspect.

What to do if you're targeted

1. Verify any "FBI agent" by calling your local FBI field office through a number listed at fbi.gov.
2. Confirm wire transfers directly with your bank, not with the sender's paperwork.
3. Report fraud to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or ic3.gov.

Case status (as of Oct. 16, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status as of Oct. 16, 2026	Source
Tatiana Bazer, 40, Buffalo Grove, Ill.	N.D. Ill.	Indicted on seven counts of wire fraud and two counts of impersonating a federal officer; pleaded not guilty; no later outcome found in public sources as of Oct. 16, 2026	[1], [2]

An indictment is an accusation, not evidence of guilt.

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois, "Suburban Chicago Woman Indicted for Allegedly Defrauding Multiple Victims out of $3.5 Million," March 31, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/suburban-chicago-woman-indicted-allegedly-defrauding-multiple-victims-out-35-million
2. Daily Herald, "Buffalo Grove woman indicted in $3.5 million fraud scheme," March 31, 2026. https://www.dailyherald.com/20260331/crime/buffalo-grove-woman-indicted-in-3-5-million-fraud-scheme/

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