New Moms Ripped Off By Cleveland Scam Artist

CLEVELAND, OH — In the spring of 2017, the Cleveland Division of Police's financial crimes unit began receiving calls from individuals all claiming to have been ripped off by the same person: 23-year-old Zienup Sbeih-Maddox. All of the callers said Maddox had created a Facebook page promising discounted toddler and baby items for purchase, but failed to deliver the goods.

The scam paid off for Sbeih-Maddox, police say. She's believed to have successfully ripped off approximately 150 victims, for a total of $200,000. She mainly targeted new moms.

Sbeih-Maddox's targets weren't only local to Northeast Ohio. The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) says victims have been located as far away as Hawaii.

Warrants for grand theft and telecommunications fraud have been issued for Sbeih-Maddox. Both Cleveland Police and the Ohio Attorney General have reached out to the public to help locate the scam artist. BCI is working with local police in the investigation.

Sbeih-Maddox is described as standing 5'3 tall, weighing about 130 pounds, and having brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sbeih-Maddox is asked to contact Cleveland Police at 216-621-1234. Anonymous information can be given to Crime Stoppers by calling 216-252-7463 or via text message: text TIP657 plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Photo from Cleveland Police