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Anthony GignacAmerican fraudster posing as Saudi Arabia's crown prince
Date of Birth: 01.01.1971
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Anthony Gignac: The American Con Man Who Impersonated a Saudi Prince
- Early Years
- A History of Deceit
- The Fontainebleau Deal
- Signs of Suspicion
- A Lavish Lifestyle
- Costly Bribery
- A Diplomatic Explanation
- The Swine Encounter
- Federal Investigation
- Arrest and Indictment
- Plea and Sentencing
Anthony Gignac: The American Con Man Who Impersonated a Saudi Prince
A Taste for the ForbiddenFor decades, 47-year-old Anthony Gignac successfully masqueraded as a Saudi Arabian prince. But his love for pork, a forbidden food in Islam, ultimately exposed his deception when he considered investing in a Miami hotel.
Early Years
Prosecutors revealed that Gignac, originally from Colombia, was adopted as a child by an American couple in Michigan. The Miami Herald shed light on his past and the events leading to his arrest in November 2017 while traveling from London to New York using a fake passport.
A History of Deceit
Gignac's first known impersonation as a prince dates back to 1991. According to court documents from 2008, he defrauded a hotel and several companies of approximately $10,000. Despite legal troubles, he continued living lavishly as a "wealthy Middle Eastern investor," residing in an upscale apartment in Fisher Island, Miami, and driving luxury cars.
The Fontainebleau Deal
In March 2017, Gignac resurrected his alternate persona when a representative claiming to work for him contacted Jeffrey Soffer of Turnberry Associates, expressing interest in investing $440 million in the Fontainebleau Resorts hotel complex. Months later, Gignac met with Soffer, introducing himself as Khalid bin Al-Saud, a Saudi prince.
Signs of Suspicion
The initial meeting raised no red flags for Soffer. As a potential investor, Gignac was invited to stay at Fontainebleau Resorts in May 2017, arriving in a 2016 Ferrari California convertible adorned with diplomatic license plates. It was later discovered that these plates had been purchased on eBay.
A Lavish Lifestyle
In August 2017, "the prince" invited Soffer to his penthouse, where he presented fabricated documents from the Dubai Bank guaranteeing a $600 million insurance policy. Gignac also showcased his fleet of luxury cars, all with diplomatic license plates. Later that month, the conman flew Soffer to Aspen on a private jet to continue their discussions.
Costly Bribery
The indictment revealed that Soffer gifted Gignac an expensive bracelet, at the suggestion of one of Gignac's accomplices. This was allegedly an attempt to "build confidence" in "the prince," who hesitated to commit to the significant investment.
A Diplomatic Explanation
Gignac claimed his diplomatic status required him to check in with the State Department every two hours. He flaunted his diplomatic immunity while driving recklessly with Soffer in his car. When Soffer complained about Gignac's erratic driving, he allegedly replied that they would face no repercussions due to his immunity.
The Swine Encounter
Around the same time, Soffer's suspicions escalated after witnessing "the Muslim" prince consuming pork. He alerted Fontainebleau Resorts security, who launched an investigation and discovered Gignac's true identity.
Federal Investigation
This information was passed on to federal authorities, who led their own investigation. By monitoring Gignac's penthouse, law enforcement discovered his fictitious license plates and confirmed his lies.
Arrest and Indictment
In November 2017, Gignac was apprehended while flying from London to New York using a different passport. A search warrant at his apartment yielded multiple business cards with false names, additional diplomatic license plates, a fake diplomatic passport, credit cards, thousands of dollars in cash, and financial documents under the name of a Saudi royal family member.
Plea and Sentencing
In May 2018, Gignac pleaded guilty to impersonating a foreign diplomat and foreign official. He also admitted to aggravated identity theft for the purpose of fraud. Sentencing was scheduled for August 2018.
