Shame of thrones!
A North Carolina businessman is accused of fraudulently raking in more than $6 million in coronavirus relief aid for phony companies named after “Game of Thrones” characters and references, according to reports.
Tristan Pan, 38, from Garner, N.C., allegedly submitted more than a dozen sham applications when he applied for a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan on behalf of his “businesses” — listed as Khaleesi LLC, The Night’s Watch LLC, and White Walker LLC, NBC reported.
His fake firm White Walker— named after the icy humanoid featured on the hit HBO series — along with another one of his businesses acquired $1.7 million after he submitted paperwork with false tax documents to a bank, the station reported, citing a federal indictment filed last week.
It wasn’t clear how much money Khaleesi LLC — named after the”Mother of Dragons” character played by Emilia Clarke in the fantasy series — or Night’s Watch LLC, a nod to the show’s military order, acquired during the alleged scam.
The move, which fleeced federal cash meant to help out small businesses amid the coronavirus crisis, left the feds breathing fire.
Law enforcement seized $6.1 million from Pan, according to Forbes. He was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.
Pan has also formed several other companies over the past decade, including Pan Realty, Technology for Teaching, NC Health Care Reform Advisors, A&D Pan Legacy, Health Care Without Borders and Digital Encryption Storage, according to the report.