The FBI conducted a sting operation in 1980, called ABSCAM, to expose corruption in the US Congress.


The FBI conducted a sting operation in 1980, called ABSCAM, to expose corruption in the US Congress. They created a fake company.

Abdul Enterprises, and posed as wealthy Arab businessmen who wanted to invest in the US.

They offered bribes to several congressmen and senators in exchange for political favors, such as immigration visas, casino licenses, and tax breaks.

Out of the 31 officials who were approached, seven accepted the bribes and were later convicted of various charges. 

Including bribery, conspiracy, and racketeering.

Image: U.S. Representative Michael Myers, second from left, holds an envelope containing $50,000 that he just received from undercover FBI agents

The following members of Congress were convicted of bribery and conspiracy in 1981. 


Five other government officials were convicted

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