Fake US ambassador went on luxury spending spree before FBI arrest, bought a Bentley, leased a Maserati

Michigan woman posed as an ambassador, a bank owner to steal $1 million from victims to fund her lavish lifestyle. (Photo: Instagram) A Michigan businesswoman accused of falsely presenting herself as a US ambassador allegedly went on a lavish spending spree using money obtained from victims, buying a Bentley, leasing a Maserati and paying for trips to Paris and Los Angeles, according to newly unsealed federal court records.Shannon Monet Steel, 42, a Detroit native who allegedly claimed to be an ambassador for the Central African Republic, was arrested by the FBI on September 1 and charged with wire fraud. Prosecutors alleged that she deceived at least eight victims into handing over about $1.5 million by claiming she was a banker, hotel owner and ambassador with access to hundreds of millions of dollars in assets.Federal prosecutors sought to freeze Steel's assets, saying she was continuing to spend money allegedly obtained from victims while awaiting trial. A judge granted a preliminary injunction on September 23, covering dozens of companies linked to Steel, bank accounts, jewellery, vehicles and other assets.The records detailed what prosecutors described as months of extravagan...