Bounty Hunter Scams in Iraq

May 02, 2007 2:39 PM
Alexis Debat Reports:
Confusion reigned in Iraq yesterday as varying reports about the possible death of al Qaeda in Iraq's leader were circulated.
The cause of the confusion may have been cold hard cash, according to a senior Saudi intelligence official who said that bounty hunters often present body doubles in attempts to claim reward money on wanted terrorists.
Saudi and Jordanian intelligence services have been working with "tribal elements" to hunt down the leaders of al Qaeda in Iraq, said the source, who has been involved with the Saudi's operations in Anbar province in Iraq.
This effort, according to the source, involves the disbursement of cash rewards for any al Qaeda leader killed or captured.
The problem, however, is that in the past several months many of these tribal militias have unduly requested cash rewards, sometimes presenting bodies identified as associates of Mr. al Masri....

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/05/bounty_hunter_s.html