LaPorte Man Charged with Defrauding Elderly Adult of Over $11,000
Nathan Lee Scott Payne, 34, of LaPorte has been charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors related to unauthorized financial activity involving an endangered adult.
According to court documents, on March 27, 2025, without authorization, Nathan Lee Scott Payne electronically withdrew $345.00 from the victim’s Chase bank account and deposited the funds into a Zelle account, which was then deposited into a CITI bank account under his name for personal gain.
Further investigation and findings from a CITI bank subpoena showed that between March 18 and April 3, 2025, Payne accessed the victim’s email account and breached the same Chase bank account. He made thirteen unauthorized electronic withdrawals totaling $11,095.00 and deposited the funds into his CITI bank account.
The victim is identified as an endangered adult—an 86-year-old man with Alzheimer’s disease who resides in a memory care unit due to his condition.
The investigation was conducted by the Chesterton Police Department.
Charges Filed on June 10, 2025:
• Fraud: Level 6 Felony (13 Counts)
• Theft: Class A Misdemeanor (3 Counts)
Payne was lodged in the Porter County Jail on June 24, 2025.
