Episode 052: Myron Fuller – The Original ABSCAM, Con Men and Mob Guys

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Myron Fuller served in the FBI for 30 years.

In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Fuller reviews his undercover and case agent roles in the case code-named ABSCAM, which was actually a spin-off of Operation Fountain Pen (OPFOPEN).

It was the largest investigation by the FBI conducted into the activities of white-collar criminals (Retired Agent Jim Wedick is interviewed about OPFOPEN in Episode 6: Chasing Phil, Undercover Stings and Bogus Securities).

ABSCAM was originally initiated to investigate and penetrate white-collar crime and organized crime targets in the New York area.

Specifically, it started as an undercover operation to infiltrate a conspiracy involving members of organize crime attempting to purchase businesses, including a mortgage company, for fraudulent and criminal purposes. The sophisticated ABSCAM scenario featured a fictitious wealthy Lebanese businessman who wanted to funnel millions of dollars from the Middle-East into ventures in the United States.

Fuller and his undercover partner, agent John Hauss, represented that they worked for a consortium of foreign banks and had access to a $7 Million bank account.

The scenario, with the cooperation of con man Mel Weinberg, allowed for the successful investigation and conviction of organized crime figures, con men, and ultimately, corrupt politicians.

Fuller retired as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Honolulu Division.

Special Agent in Charge (Retired)

Myron Fuller

01/11/1971 – 06/17/2001

The following FBI case overview and newspaper articles provide additional background material on the ABSCAM undercover investigation:

ABSCAM- FBI Famous Cases

Jersey Hustle: The real-life story of Abscam

The real-life FBI sting behind ‘American Hustle’