Syrian Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Maryland

DETROIT – A Syrian man pleaded guilty today to a felony charge stemming from his theft of thousands of dollars of Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.

Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Rodriguez, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.

Samer Succar, a naturalized United States citizen who resides in his native country of Syria, entered a guilty plea this morning, before United States District Judge Gershwin A. Drain, to one count of Theft of Government Funds.

According to court records, the monies were paid out by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to Succar in his capacity as Representative Payee for his mother’s SSI benefits.  Under the provisions of the Social Security Act, Succar was required to notify the SSA of any changes that may affect his mother’s eligibility for SSI, including whether she left the United States for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days.  Instead, for more than twenty years, Succar knowingly and intentionally concealed from and made false statements to the SSA about his mother’s foreign travel and residency, in order to obtain her SSI benefits. Specifically, Succar provided that he and his mother resided together at homes located in Michigan, when in fact, neither he nor his mother had resided in the United States since at least September 2022 and September 2003, respectively.   

“This thief lied about himself and his mother so that he could live in Syria on the back of the hardworking American taxpayer. Americans fund Social Security for our benefit. And Americans are sick and tired of people like this ripping off our country,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.

“By hiding his mother’s relocation outside the United States, Samer Succar knowingly continued to collect SSI benefits he was not entitled to receive,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Rodriguez, SSA OIG, Chicago Field Division. “This was a calculated deception, and those who abuse programs designed to support vulnerable individuals will be held accountable.”

Succar entered into a plea agreement, as a part of which he agreed to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $190,825.00.  A sentencing hearing has been set for April 22, 2026, at 11 am. 

This case was investigated by special agents of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.  It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Corinne M. Lambert.