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Federal Bureau of Investigation - Seal - Link to FBI Chicago Main Press Page

U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation
In Reply, Please Refer to Release No. 219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604

 

November 28, 2006

JUSTICE RESIDENT CHARGED WITH EXTORTION

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today the arrest of OMAR ABBAS, age 40, whose last known address was 8033 Marion Drive in Justice, Illinois. ABBAS was arrested by FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Special Agents, without incident, at DHS offices in Chicago late last month.

ABBAS was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago with Extortion, which is a felony offense. According to the complaint, ABBAS had been preying on individuals within the immigrant community, portraying himself as an FBI Special Agent, law enforcement official, and/or U.S. Military official, offering to help them with their immigration or legal problems in exchange for a fee. ABBAS, who is a Jordanian national, is alleged to have received over $25,000 from three different individuals since 2003.

In announcing this arrest, Mr. Grant noted the possibility exists that other individuals might have fallen victim to ABBAS and his alleged scheme. "Public trust in their local police and the FBI is essential to effective law enforcement" Grant said. "I would encourage anyone, regardless of their immigration status, who might also have been victimized by ABBAS to contact our office immediately."

ABBAS appeared in U.S. District Court in Chicago following his arrest and was ordered held on a $100,000 bond. ABBAS remains incarcerated at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Chicago, pending his next scheduled court appearance. If convicted of the charges filed against him, ABBAS faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

EDITOR's NOTE: Additional copies of the attached photograph and the criminal complaint filed in this case are available from the Chicago FBI Press Office at (312) 829-1199.