"Israel's number one con artist" passes away at age 50
Oren Avraham, defined by the police as 'Israel's number one con artist', passed away at age 50 after being hospitalized due to acute pneumonia. Avraham served more than 20 years in prison for fraud and deception, and managed to outsmart senior figures in the justice system and police. In his later years, he claimed he tried to rehabilitate, but no one agreed to help him.
Oren Avraham, defined by the Israel Police as 'Israel's number one con artist', passed away this morning (Monday) at age 50 at Shamir-Asaf Harofeh Hospital. Avraham was hospitalized about a week and a half ago due to acute pneumonia; his condition deteriorated and he was placed on a ventilator. This morning his body systems collapsed and doctors were forced to declare his death. Avraham was considered one of the most unusual figures in Israel's criminal world. Over decades, he committed a series of fraud and deception acts, some from within the prisons where he served his sentences. Among his victims were civilians, judges, police officers, and even senior figures in the government system. His uniqueness lay in the methods he used – without computers or technology, but solely through phone calls. One of the most famous frauds attributed to him occurred in the 1990s, when he was in Nitzan Prison and managed to obtain personal details of then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and bank account details of his wife Sara. In another case, he ordered dozens of pizza trays for a cabinet meeting and the Prime Minister's residence. In recent years, Avraham claimed he tried to turn over a new leaf and reintegrate into society, but said he received no rehabilitative assistance. A relative said after his death that Avraham had completely left crime, but no body extended a hand to him.