The High-Flying Life of a Chicago Con Man

A man known by many names, but none of them his own, is about to face a judge. Jawad Fakroune, or Angelino Escobar, or Giovanni Costello, or any of the other identities he used, lived a life of lies and luxury. He told people he was the son of a famous drug lord, or a big shot in the mafia. He dined with the rich and famous, drove fancy cars, and wore expensive watches. But it was all a lie. Fakroune's life of crime started long before Chicago. He moved to the U. S. in the early 2000s and was convicted of several crimes by 2008. He spent four years in prison and was released in 2012. But he didn't stay out of trouble for long. By the early 2020s, he was in Chicago, making big promises to investors and spending their money on luxury items. Fakroune's downfall began in November 2024. He allegedly beat up a restaurateur over a $1. 5 million debt and threatened to kill him and his family. He fled to New York, but the FBI was hot on his trail. They found him in an apartment, and he ran out nearly naked, covering himself with a black plastic bag. He ran for nearly a mile before entering a high-end Italian restaurant, claiming he had been robbed.Fakroune is now on trial for extortion, fraud, and tax evasion. The trial will reveal the extent of his crimes and the people he encountered. But it's unclear how much detail will be presented to the jury. Fakroune's attorney argues that the case comes down to a simple legal question: was the money Fakroune was trying to collect an extension of credit or just a business deal gone bad? The trial will also focus on the credibility of the government's star witness, restaurateur Adolfo Garcia. Garcia was not seriously injured in the attack but was threatened and beaten by Fakroune. The trial will reveal the truth about Fakroune's life of crime and the people he encountered. Fakroune's attorney argues that the case comes down to a simple legal question: was the money Fakroune was trying to collect an extension of credit or just a business deal gone bad? The trial will reveal the truth about Fakroune's life of crime and the people he encountered. Fakroune's life of crime is a cautionary tale. It shows how easy it is to be fooled by charm and promises. But it also shows how the justice system can catch up with even the most cunning criminals.