Theft From DeWitt County Traced to India

Police say thieves in India used the signature of a local official in central Illinois to forge a check and steal $45,000.

It was as easy as going online, where an image of the DeWitt County treasurer's signature was available.

The (Bloomington) Pantagraph (http://tinyurl.com/7xkd4hl ) reported Saturday that the fake check was submitted electronically to a bank in New York in November. The funds were reimbursed when the fraud was uncovered.

DeWitt County Sheriff Jered Shofner says the thieves struck again late last month. They attempted to steal more than $35,000 from the village of Wapella. This time, the thieves tried to transfer funds to an account in Japan.

Investigators concluded the thieves were using a check for a tax distribution from the county that was posted on the village website.