Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced charges against a Chicago man for allegedly engaging in a scheme to purchase high-end merchandise from Chicago-area T.J. Maxx stores and return items that were less expensive or counterfeit from the original merchandise. 

Raoul’s office charged Neythyn Thompson, 46, in DuPage County Circuit Court with eight counts of wire fraud, Class 3 felonies each punishable by up to five years in prison; five counts of forgery, Class 3 felonies each punishable by up to five years in prison; one count of money laundering, a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison; one count of use of a credit or debit card with intent to defraud, a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison; and one count of theft, a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Thompson’s next court date is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2026.

“Individuals who engage in retail theft increase costs for all consumers while driving down business development in neighborhoods,” Raoul said. “I will continue to partner with law enforcement to hold individuals who break our laws accountable.”

Thompson is alleged to have engaged in a scheme that defrauded T.J. Maxx out of approximately $17,320 between 2023 and 2024. According to Raoul’s indictment, Thompson purchased high-end merchandise from T.J. Maxx stores throughout Cook and DuPage counties. He would then switch out the purchased items with similar but less expensive or counterfeit products, returning the inferior products to T.J. Maxx while keeping the original products.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service.

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Assistant Attorneys General Kiran Gupta and Renee Thibault are prosecuting the case for Raoul’s Special Prosecutions Bureau.