ABSCAM Meaning and
Definition
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Abscam was an infamous political scandal that took place in the United States during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Originating from "Abdul Enterprises, Ltd.," the operation was an elaborate sting operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to uncover corruption and bribery in American politics. The term "abscam" specifically refers to the codename given to this undercover operation.
The objective of Abscam was to ascertain politicians who were willing to accept bribes in exchange for a favorable outcome or using their influence to benefit criminal interests. FBI agents posed as Arab sheikhs and middlemen looking to invest money in the United States in order to exploit the ambitions and vulnerabilities of politicians in a ploy to expose their corrupt practices.
Through covert recordings and surveillance, the Abscam scandal successfully unveiled numerous prominent figures, including federal lawmakers and local officials, who were involved in bribery schemes. The operation stirred extensive public attention due to its shocking revelations, amplifying public distrust in politicians and government systems.
Abscam led to the conviction of several individuals involved in the scandal, resulting in congressional reforms and increased scrutiny over political and ethical standards. This event is often referred to as one of the largest political scandals in American history, and the term "abscam" has become synonymous with corruption and illegal activities in the political sphere.
Common Misspellings for ABSCAM
- zbscam
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Etymology of ABSCAM
The word "abscam" originated as an acronym for "Arab scam". It refers to a famous undercover operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the late 1970s and early 1980s targeting political corruption. The operation involved creating a fictitious Arab company as a front to catch public officials accepting bribes in exchange for political influence. Consequently, the term "abscam" emerged to describe this particular scam aimed at trapping corrupt politicians.
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