Man arrested for impersonating judge in social media scam

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Karkh First Investigative Court announced Monday the arrest of a man accused of impersonating a judge on social media in an elaborate scheme to defraud multiple victims.

The court said the suspect used fake accounts, several phone numbers, and forged documents to deceive individuals by posing as a member of the judiciary. His arrest followed a complaint from a woman who reported being defrauded through a fraudulent Facebook account claiming judicial authority. The suspect allegedly used electronic payment cards to receive funds from victims.

“Based on a judicial warrant issued by the competent judge of the Karkh First Investigative Court, the suspect was arrested,” the court said in a statement.

Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council warned the public to be vigilant and report similar incidents, stressing that “judges do not use social media,” and any such claims should be treated as fraudulent.

The arrest is part of a broader crackdown by Iraqi authorities on impersonation and financial fraud, a growing concern across various sectors.

Earlier this month, police in Maysan arrested a woman accused of posing as a doctor at Al-Hakim Teaching Hospital in Amarah. On May 5, authorities shut down an unlicensed cosmetic clinic in Najaf’s Al-Adala neighborhood and detained two individuals, including a man who claimed to be a cosmetic specialist. In a separate case, the Najaf Medical Syndicate closed another clinic operated by a woman impersonating a physician and confiscated banned drugs and unauthorized tools.

In June, Babil police arrested two suspects who posed as members of charitable organizations and defrauded residents.