Thieves posing as the Wu-Tang Clan scammed several luxury hotels in Atlanta, car rentals, and studios out of more than $100,000.
What We Know:
- Firstly, U.S. District Court in Atlanta claims Walker Washington and Aaron Barnes-Burpo told hotel workers they were with Roc Nation.
- According to thegrio, Billboard reported the suspects booked 10 rooms at the hotel. The suspects claimed to be for an artist and entourage. The reservation was made listing Roc Nation and the Wu-Tang Clan.
- A staff member grew uncertain of the group and immediately contacted Roc Nation to confirm their identity; but, the company had no booked rooms and claimed no affiliation to the men.
- A criminal complaint expressed, the men showed up to hotels styling in a Rolls Royce Phantom, which they rented from A-National Limousine. A-National Limousine had a loss of almost $60,000. Additionally, prosecutors said both men skipped paying two Atlanta studios, totaling a loss of more than $17,000.
- Furthermore, the two suspects reportedly left Atlanta’s Georgian Terrance Hotel with a $45,000 unpaid bill and Hyatt Regency with a $39,000 unpaid bill, according to Billboard.
- Washington and Barnes-Burpo face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
- Barnes-Burpo showed up to check-in at a Fairfield Inn and Suites in Augusta, Georgia, and Richmond County police were waiting for him. Authorities detained Barnes-Burpo and others.
- Finally, two of the other detained men told police they were homeless and living in Atlanta when they were recruited by the suspects. Washington and Barnes-Burpo recruited them to serve as bodyguards. Others traveling with the group were not charged.
More details developing.
