For over three decades, Anthony Gignac lived a life of luxury while posing as Prince Khalid al-Saud of Saudi Arabia. Operating under the guise of Middle Eastern royalty, Gignac defrauded victims of more than $8 million (£6.4m) by convincing them to invest in fake ventures around the world. His elaborate deception included flaunting his wealth on Instagram, where he showcased fast cars, expensive watches, and bottles of champagne, often referring to himself as “sultan” or “prince.”
Despite multiple arrests in the 90s and 00s, Gignac continued his fraudulent activities, ultimately living on Miami’s exclusive Fisher Island. His criminal career began to unravel in 2017, when authorities finally caught up with him after years of swindling unsuspecting individuals and businesses.
This case serves as a reminder of how seemingly glamorous lives can mask fraudulent activity, and how some criminals can persist despite multiple arrests.