Rapper G Herbo Sentenced to 3 Years Probation After Credit Card Scam

Chicago rapper G Herbo has been sentenced to three years probation for his part in a national wire fraud scam and falsifying statements to a federal agent to cover up his connection.

Herbo, born Herbert Randall Wright III, was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $139,968 each, in addition to a $5,000 fine, the Department of Justice said in a release shared Thursday.

From March 2017 through November 2018, Herbo and allegedly his co-conspirators defrauded several people in companies in the US when they used stolen credit card accounts from "real individuals" to fund his luxurious lifestyle, the release stated.

According to court documents, the DOJ said, he used the stolen information to buy private jet charters for over $80,000, and paid over $34,000 to rent "exotic" cars like a Mercedes Benz 5560 and Cadillac Escalade. He also allegedly paid $14,500 to rent a villa in Jamaica, funded expensive trips and splurged on a pair of "designer puppies."

The expensive purchases were approved because they came from real credit cards. However, the credit card holders later noticed the charges and reported them to their credit card company.

"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," said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. "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."

In November 2018, Herbo told a federal agent he didn't have any connection to the countrywide scam and had no relationship with one of the co-defendants, rap promoter Antonio Strong. However, their connection dates back to 2016, the DOJ said.

In July, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to a federal official. He also noted that he is responsible for stealing $139,878 from victims.