A Wisconsin man's elaborate plot to fake his own death in a kayaking accident, allowing him to flee the country with his mistress, has ended with a federal prison sentence.
Ali Elmezayen, 45, was sentenced to 42 months behind bars after pleading guilty to wire fraud, mail fraud, and making false distress signals. The court heard how he meticulously planned the hoax to escape his financial problems and family life.
The Elaborate Hoax
In May 2018, Elmezayen deliberately capsized his kayak in Lake Michigan near Chicago. He was quickly 'rescued' by a nearby freighter after sending frantic distress calls, while his companion, who was unaware of the scheme, was genuinely rescued by the Coast Guard.
Authorities launched a massive two-day search operation for Elmezayen, believing he had drowned. The search involved multiple agencies and cost taxpayers thousands of dollars.
A New Life in California
While authorities searched the lake, Elmezayen was already on his way to California. From there, he flew to his native Egypt to reunite with his girlfriend, using the opportunity to start a new life abroad.
The scheme unravelled when investigators discovered he had recently taken out several life insurance policies worth over $2 million, naming himself as the beneficiary. This raised immediate red flags and triggered a federal investigation.
The Financial Motive
Court documents revealed that between 2015 and 2018, Elmezayen had purchased eight separate life and accident insurance policies on himself and his family. He had paid over $76,000 in premiums, despite having a reported income of only $30,000 per year.
Prosecutors argued the fake drowning was an attempt to cash in on these policies while escaping his financial obligations and family responsibilities in the United States.
The judge noted the sophistication of the scheme and the significant waste of public resources during sentencing, emphasising that false distress calls put genuine lives at risk.
