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Chicago Man Used Darknet Forums for Nationwide Fraud

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A man in Chicago was sentenced to 34 months in prison and ordered to pay $2.16 million in restitution for his role in a $2.3 million nationwide fraud scheme. The individual learned how to commit widescale fraud from darknet websites. The scheme used stolen credit card information to finance a lavish lifestyle. The scheme, which ran from 2016 to 2020, involved the unauthorized use of personal payment information to purchase luxury goods and services, including private jet and yacht rentals, high-end hotel stays, designer puppies, and luxury vehicles.

Key Insights

  • Antonio M. Strong, a 32-year-old from Orland Park, Illinois, orchestrated a large-scale wire fraud scheme.
  • Between 2016 and 2020, Strong led a nationwide conspiracy that utilized stolen credit card information.
  • The scheme exploited real, stolen credit card information, including the cardholders’ names, addresses, account numbers, security codes, and expiration dates.
  • DOJ claims Strong’s fraudulent operation heavily relied on the darknet, where he obtained stolen credit card information and personal data of unsuspecting individuals.
  • U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni sentenced Strong to 34 months in prison, with an additional three years of supervised release.
  • Strong’s co-defendants were charged and received sentences for their roles in the scheme.

Chicago man Antonio M. Strong has recently been sentenced in Springfield for his role in a massive fraud scheme involving the darknet to steal millions from businesses and individuals in the United States. Strong used stolen credit card information to finance his life of luxury, which included private jets, yacht trips, high-class hotels, and even designer puppies.

The Courtroom Verdict and Sentencing

U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni sentenced 32-year-old Antonio M. Strong who is from Orland Park, Illinois to 34 months in prison which will be followed by three more years of supervised release. Strong was also ordered to forfeit approximately a whopping $2.16 million and pay the same amount in restitution. Strong finally accepted his fate and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud in May 2024.

Prosecutors said in court that the crimes, which spanned over many, many years, naturally involved a lot of planning to try and avoid being caught by law enforcement. He used stolen credit card details from various people in the U.S., which ended up enabling him to pay for private jets, fancy cars, and luxury hotel rooms. This then left businesses with huge bills when the real cardholders reported the charges as fraud.

Inside the Darknet Fraudsters Investigation

From March 2016 all the way through to September 2020, Strong worked with others, including Chicago rapper Herbert Wright III, aka G Herbo, to help create an underground scheme to defraud companies and people by using stolen credit card information. Specifically, the stolen credit card information, which had the names, addresses, card numbers, security codes, and expiration dates of real individuals. By using real credit card information, Strong and his accomplices tricked businesses into thinking payments were legitimate, which ended up leading them to provide goods and services.

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According to the DOJ ” On other occasions, Strong contacted Sorrells to obtain illicit account information and Sorrells provided Strong with illicit account information that he obtained from darknet forums.”

When the actual cardholders later noticed these unauthorized charges and reported them, payment companies reversed the transactions, leaving businesses to take the heavy load of these financial losses. Altogether, these Darknet Fraudster group’s fraudulent activities caused approximately a huge $2.3 million in losses for the affected businesses and a big mess to clean up for years to come.

Strong used multiple names and aliases to try and disguise his identity, created fake driver’s licenses in the names of real and fake people, and used email addresses that were similarly created to appear from and for both real and sham companies. He posed as an employee of major companies like “Universal Music,” “Sony Music,” and “Epic Music” to add a sense of legitimacy to his fraudulent schemes.

The Arrest and Seized Luxuries

After a very long and detailed investigation, a federal grand jury indictment was made public on December 2, 2020, charging Antonio M. Strong and his five associates with running a massive fraud scheme that defrauded businesses and individuals nationwide. The charges followed coordinated arrests, with Strong apprehended on September 14, 2020, in Chicago. Among the co-defendants were high-profile figures, including rapper Herbert Wright III, Joseph Williams, and Demario Sorrells. The arrests allowed authorities to uncover extensive evidence of fraudulent activities, which revealed how each of the accused played a role in the scheme.

“On social media, Mr. Wright boasted an extravagant lifestyle. He gave the impression that his use of private jets, luxury cars and tropical villas were the legitimate fruits of his booming rap career as “G Herbo.” However, his lavish lifestyle was shamelessly built on deceit and fraud using stolen account information that inflicted substantial harm on numerous businesses, leaving a wake of victims burdened with financial losses. This case should serve as a stark reminder that breaking the law leads to prosecution and accountability, regardless of who you are, how many likes you rack up or how many followers you have.” – Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

Investigators traced a long list of high-end purchases made by Strong using stolen credit card information. Evidence showed he used the funds to pay for luxuries such as private jet charters, yacht rentals, stays in luxury hotels, and high-end vehicles. He even acquired “designer puppies,” dogs specifically bred for unique qualities. Strong and his associates used the stolen money to fund an extravagant lifestyle, including high-end cars, private villas, premium security services, and top-tier chefs, all obtained through unauthorized credit card transactions and stolen identities. This elaborate scheme, which ran between March 2016 and September 2020, resulted in a total loss of around $2.3 million for the affected businesses and individuals across the country.

Co-Defendants’ Sentences

Several co-defendants have also been sentenced:

  • Herbert Wright III: More commonly known as G Herbo, is a Chicago-based rapper who became popular in the hip-hop world with his music. In July 2023, Wright pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to a federal official. In January 2024, he was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $139,968 in restitution and forfeiture.
  • Joseph Williams: Known as “Joe Rodeo” or “Rockstar Rodie,” is also a rap artist from Chicago. He was part of the fraud scheme along with the others. In March 2024, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. By August 2024, he was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $155,392 in restitution and forfeiture of $102,116.
  • Demario Sorrells: Aka. “Jonte” or “Johntay,” is from Rockford, Illinois. He was involved in the nationwide fraud scheme, which targeted businesses and people across the U.S. In February 2024, Sorrells pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. By August 2024, he was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $106,000 in restitution and $106,000 in forfeiture. 
  • Terrence Bender: Unfortunately, there is not much is known about Terrence Bender. He is one of the people charged in the case and was expected to plead guilty in November 2024. More information about his role in the scheme is still to come.
  • Steven Hayes, Jr.: Information about Steven Hayes Jr. is also limited. He is one of the co-defendants charged in the fraud scheme. As of the latest updates, Hayes is still waiting for the trial, and more details about his part in the scheme have yet to be shared.

Conclusion

The prosecution of this major fraud case was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow along with Trial Attorneys Andrew Tyler and Kyle Crawford. This case shows how serious federal authorities are about fighting financial crimes that harm businesses and people. The Department of Justice and the Secret Service worked together to break down a complicated scheme of fake identities, impersonations, and stolen credit data. This case highlights the dedication of federal authorities to protect victims and hold criminals accountable.

There have been major increases in Darknet Market fraud cases. The DOJ and FBI’s Cyber Crimes Unit have stepped up their games to counter this and warned those who feel they can get away with such acts.