The FBI is said to have raided the homes of millionaire YouTube and Instagram star Omi in a Hellcat, seizing his supercars, Rolex watches and bank accounts as they investigate his TV streaming business and tax returns.
The influencer, real name Bill Omar Carrasquillo, 33, said nearly all of his assets were taken in a raid last month, leaving him ‘down to nothing’.
He says he cannot access his money leaving him unable to pay his 30 staff.
Omi in a Hellcat boasts more than 250,000 followers on Instagram and more than half a million followers on YouTube. He describes himself as an influencer, YouTuber, club owner, investor and entrepreneur on his online profiles.
It is thought the FBI’s investigation will focus on his tax returns, copyright infringement through his streaming site and money laundering.
He told CBS: ‘I was a multi-millionaire a week ago, and now I’m down to nothing.’ A YouTube video titled ‘THE FBI SEIZED EVERYTHING FROM ME’ and posted by Carrasquillo on November 20 has more than one million views.
Omi in a Hellcat, pictured, boasts more than 250,000 followers on Instagram and more than half a million followers on YouTube. He describes himself as an influencer, YouTuber, club owner, investor and entrepreneur on his online profiles
The influencer, real name Bill Omar Carrasquillo, says his assets were taken in a raid last month
His mansion in Woolwich Township, New Jersey and other homes were targeted, he says
Omi, originally from Philadelphia, insists he has made his money legally through a a construction company and as a landlord. He also makes money via his YouTube channel.
But he does admit owing taxes, adding: ‘In the middle of us trying to work out a deal to pay them back, they came and seized everything. Everything. Even the tablets out of my kid’s hands.’
He says it is his TV streaming business Gears TV Reloaded that he believes is the real focus of the feds attention.
The app allows viewers to pay a monthly fee to access premium content. Two similar sites were shut down in August under violations of federal copyright law.
His attorney, Donte Mills said: ‘He’s being penalized for being innovative and creative. There is no law that says he could not do what he was doing.’
Carrasquillo adds: ‘No copyright holders ever got in contact with me to say, ‘Hey, you can’t do this’ because there are certain ways that I set the business up that’s going to prove a million percent that it wasn’t illegal.
‘I just saw a loophole, I sought counsel on it, they told me it wasn’t illegal and I went for it. And now I’m being punished for it.’
Omi insists he has made his money legally through a a construction company and as a landlord. He also makes money via his YouTube channel
The car enthusiast also posted two documents online which he claims shows 12 of the cars taken from his properties, showing at least three Lamborghinis, three Jeeps and an Audi were seized. A second list shows a number of Rolex watches, plus jewelry was taken by authorities
Carrasquillo has not been charged with any crimes and federal authorities have so far not confirmed any investigations into him
Mills added: ‘They’re confused as to how is this guy from North Philadelphia able to create so much wealth? He must be doing something wrong. And it’s unfair. He shouldn’t be treated this way.’
He said his mansion in Woolwich Township, New Jersey was raided, with federal authorities taking ‘everything’. He claims other properties he owns were also targeted.
A neighbor, John Ware, told FOX 29: ‘They loaded them off one by one over the course of 4 to 5 hours. They took all of his cars—probably 30 of them.’
The car enthusiast also posted two documents online which he claims shows 12 of the cars taken from his properties, showing at least three Lamborghinis, three Jeeps and an Audi were seized.
A second list shows a number of Rolex watches, plus diamond, gold and silver jewelry was taken by authorities.
He tells his fans in one clip: ‘Bro, when I told you they took everything, they took every SD card, every camera, every television in my house, houses. They took every car.’
Carrasquillo says it is his TV streaming business Gears TV Reloaded that he believes is the real focus of the feds attention. The app allows viewers to pay a monthly fee to access premium content. Two similar sites were shut down in August under violations of federal copyright law
Department of Justice seizure notices are said to be on domains associated with Gears TV
In an interview with CBS he added: ‘There are car notes, there’s a ton of families right now, going through. They can’t even seek legal advice because they’re in the situation with me.
‘This is a bad situation for everyone at the table. I just hope the U.S. Attorney can see this and come to a resolution.’
Carrasquillo has not been charged with any crimes and federal authorities have so far not confirmed any investigation.
Department of Justice seizure notices are said to be on domains associated with Gears TV.
DailyMail.com’s effort to reach the FBI were unsuccessful. The IRS told CBS they are not able to discuss an individual’s tax.