Crips gang member caught in COVID fraud scheme after shooting in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Marquell Moon, a member of the Crips gang, is currently serving time in jail after being previously convicted for malicious wounding. Now, he was sentenced to four years and nine months on additional charges of fraud and identity theft.

In May 2021, Moon fired around 27 rounds at a victim while the victim’s 3-year-old child was with him, according to court documents. At least one of the rounds struck the victim’s left hand.

Law enforcement in Chesapeake caught Moon after he crashed his car in a high-speed chase while attempting to flee. Law enforcement recovered $8,275.66 and a stolen .45 semiautomatic handgun from Moon’s vehicle. Moon also discarded a backpack that was recovered.

This incident led to another investigation after additional suspicious items were found in Moon’s backpack and vehicle. Officers found credit and bank cards, a card embossing machine, a notebook detailing the fraudulent scheme and correspondence with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC).

Thirty-four cards were either in another person’s name or there was no name associated with the card. There were also 28 blank debit/credit cards with no identifying information on the magnetic strip.

This led to a fraudulent scheme investigation. It was revealed that Moon fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moon stole personally identifiable information (PII) of 10 individuals in order to apply to VEC for unemployment insurance benefits totaling $112,633.

The notebook detailed Moon’s steps. Federal agents across several states found the victims and determined that they did not know Moon and had not filed for unemployment insurance in Virginia. One victim was deceased.

In addition to applying for benefits in the victims’ names, Moon used VEC’s online portal to enter weekly re-certifications attesting that the applicants were ready and willing to work during the week and actively seeking employment.

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