Brooklyn ‘Woo gang’ members swiped $4M in COVID-relief funds: feds

Almost a dozen males related to the Brooklyn-based Woo gang have been charged Thursday with allegedly stealing greater than $4 million in COVID-19 aid money — and boasting concerning the rip-off in a music video, the feds mentioned. 

The 11 suspects – 9 of whom reside in Brooklyn – used private info, together with driver’s license numbers, from 800 individuals to submit unemployment claims value about $20 million, based on a legal grievance in opposition to them. 

The gang members have been in a position to fleece some $4.3 million from the unemployment program between March 2020 and October 2021 as a part of the rip-off, the feds mentioned. 

Eleven members of the Brooklyn “Woo” gang have been arrested for allegedly stealing about $4 million in COVID-19 unemployment aid funds.

US Legal professional for EDNY

The members allegedly made unemployment claims value about $20 million and have been in a position to obtain $4.3 million.

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The suspects allegedly used private info from over 800 individuals to make the fraudulent claims.

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The gang’s alleged rip-off occurred between March 2020 and October 2021.

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Quite a lot of the suspects allegedly flashed stacks of the money on social media – and made reference to the rip-off in a rap video for the track “Trappin,” based on the grievance unsealed within the Japanese District of New York Thursday. 

The track contains the lyrics: “Unemployment received us working quite a bit,” a reference to the scheme, based on federal prosecutors. 

One of many suspects, Christopher Jean Pierre, purchased figuring out info of his victims, together with driver’s license numbers, for $150 apiece, based on the grievance. 

The members would allegedly showcase the stolen cash in social media posts.

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Additionally they supposedly reference the rip-off in a music video for a track referred to as “Trappin.”

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The track featured the road “unemployment received us working quite a bit” in an obvious reference to stolen cash.

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Gang member Jean Pierre (pictured) was allegedly caught making an attempt to purchase private data in textual content messages.

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The feds recovered messages despatched by Jean Pierre on an encrypted messaging app to an individual recognized as “Skyscraper,” who offered him the data, the grievance states. 

“Yoo bro I want NY professionals with the DL ASAP,” Jean Pierre wrote, referring to “driver’s licenses,” based on the grievance. 

“Is 150,” Skyscraper wrote again. 

In an announcement asserting the costs, US Legal professional for the Japanese District of New York Breon Peace mentioned he would proceed to go after gang members who try to tear off the US authorities. 

The textual content messages point out an pressing want for “DL” or driver’s licenses.

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The licenses have been being offered to the gang members for $150 every.

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US Legal professional for the Japanese District of New York Breon Peace mentioned in an announcement that his workplace will “vigorously” these suspected of stealing pandemic aid funds.

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The suspects are set to be introduced in Brooklyn federal court docket.

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“These authorities applications are designed to supply monetary help to those that are most in want throughout an unprecedented pandemic,” Peace mentioned. “This Workplace and its regulation enforcement companions will vigorously prosecute gang members and anybody else who exploits the pandemic and steals from taxpayer-funded applications.”

Eight of the suspects have been arrested Thursday in New York and are scheduled to be introduced in Brooklyn federal court docket. 

Legal professional info for the suspects was not instantly obtainable.