After years of deception and financial deceit, Alex Tannous, a 38-year-old Lebanese man posing as an Emirati prince, was arrested by the FBI in San Antonio, Texas. His apprehension came upon his return from abroad for a child custody matter.
According to a Khaleej Times report, Tannous, accused of swindling investors out of millions of dirhams, appeared in federal court in San Antonio last Friday. He faces a potential 20-year prison sentence if convicted.
The FBI’s criminal complaint affidavit revealed Tannous’s elaborate schemes, portraying him as a skilled con artist who manipulated victims into investing substantial sums into ventures backed by fictitious connections to Emirati royalty.
Investigations disclosed the global reach of Tannous’s fraudulent activities, with victims recounting their experiences of financial loss and betrayal. Marc De Spiegelerie from Belgium, one of the victims, expressed relief at Tannous’s arrest, despite the irreparable financial and emotional toll.
Omar Y Abouhalala from Libya, another victim, also pursued legal action against Tannous in Dubai Courts, alleging substantial monetary losses.
Tannous’s fabricated persona included claims of being an Emirati official and a World Peace Ambassador for the UAE, yet court records revealed a starkly different reality of financial dependence and bankruptcy filings to evade accountability.