Eleven men associated with the Brooklyn-based “Woo” Gang have been charged for allegedly stealing more than $4 million in funds meant for Covid-19 relief.
Federal investigators claim the gang members used the money to travel back and forth to California, buy luxury goods, and boast about their scamming antics in a music video for a song called “Trappin” that was then posted all over social media.
According to a criminal complaint, the 11 suspects are accused of using personal information, including driver’s license numbers, and social security numbers, from 800 people to submit unemployment claims worth about $20 million.
Woo gang members made off with about 4.3 million from the fraudulent claims made to the Department of Labor between March 2020 and October 2021 as part of the scam, the feds said.
In a statement, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace said he would continue to go after gang members who attempt to rip off the government.
“These government programs are designed to provide financial assistance to those who are most in need during an unprecedented pandemic,” Peace said. “This Office and its law enforcement partners will vigorously prosecute gang members and anyone else who exploits the pandemic and steals from taxpayer-funded programs.”
