Staff Reports
The federal government is ramping up its witch hunt against pandemic-era fraudsters, and it seems that some of the alleged culprits are rather upset about it. Scammers, who once might have viewed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as an open buffet, are now whining on social media about being put on a “warrant list” as the Department of Justice (DOJ) intensifies prosecutions. It appears that the consequences of their questionable decisions are starting to dawn on them, but it’s difficult to summon much sympathy for those who took advantage of taxpayer dollars meant to help struggling businesses.
Experts have pointed out that the PPP was a goldmine for fraudsters since its inception. The DOJ had already charged 500 defendants by March 2022, indicating just how widespread the misuse of these funds has become. That’s right—hardworking Americans unwittingly funded a parade of swindlers who decided that cashing in on a crisis was a great idea. Now, as the DOJ continues its crackdown, some of these not-so-bright would-be criminals have taken to platforms like TikTok to share their sob stories, claiming they didn’t know what they were getting into. Talk about a surprising lack of foresight!
Thank fuck for that, now lock up the perpetrators of the scam. pic.twitter.com/anThTitvpf
— Bohemian Atmosphere (@BohemianAtmosp1) October 29, 2024
One TikTok user, who goes by the name J_Kyng_Enterprise, recently posted about his encounter with law enforcement regarding a PPP loan he received nearly three years ago. He openly admits that he knew the risks involved when he applied for the funds. Now, he’s warning others not to follow in his footsteps, which is a nice sentiment, but one has to wonder why anyone should heed the advice of someone who is currently in hot water with the law. If that’s the lesson he had to learn the hard way, it’s hardly a noble warning.
The DOJ isn’t just throwing around empty threats; they’re making actual arrests. Just this month alone, they’ave pursued multiple cases involving PPP fraud. One gang in California, notoriously known as the SFV Peckerwoods, has found itself on the wrong side of the law after allegedly submitting fraudulent loan applications. It seems that while gang activity is often brushed aside, COVID-19 fraud is a bridge too far. Another case involved a woman from Georgia sentenced to twelve years in prison after allegedly masterminding a scheme that stole millions in unemployment benefits. These are not light sentences, and they send a message: fraud has serious consequences.
Meanwhile, social media has become a breeding ground for misinformation, with a fake “PPP warrant list” making headlines among the perpetually perplexed. Some social media personalities have claimed that a list exists to track down those who took advantage of PPP funding. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. The supposed list they cite is merely a glorified database showing which businesses received loans—not a bounty board for federal agents. Yet, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning, and it appears some folks would rather believe in catchy conspiracy theories than acknowledge their own poor choices.
In a grand total, $793 billion was doled out through the PPP program, with roughly $763 billion forgiven—an astronomical number that signals how many people took advantage of a well-intentioned effort to aid businesses during an economic downturn. Estimates suggest that about ten percent of that funding ended up in the hands of fraudsters. As the DOJ continues to recover said funds, it should be clear that this attack on fraud is not just about punishment; it’s about accountability and ensuring that taxpayer money serves its intended purpose. The only surprise left is how many more will find themselves on the receiving end of a knock at the door from federal agents before this saga ends.
