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The Middle East might have American franchises Magnolia and Shake Shack, but In-N-Out was just a dream, according to the Orange County court files in California this past weekend.

A cult burger company, In-N-Out is known internationally for its fresh burgers and famed "animal sauce," a fact that Californian Craig Stevens used to his advantage when peddling fake franchises to investors in the Middle East.

Newport Beach man accused of selling bogus In-N-Out Burger franchises in the Middle East http://t.co/uwt2tQjAZd pic.twitter.com/Sd8u3nqLeS
— KTLA (@KTLA) May 12, 2015

Beginning in January 2014, Craig Stevens reached out to investors in the Middle East, including one unidentified person in Lebanon, offering In-N-Out franchises for about $150,000 per location. To put that number in perspective, a McDonald's franchise costs $45,000 a pop.

Stevens made over $4 million by selling this fake franchise in the Middle East. Oooof.

In-N-Out Burger Inc. has been privately owned since being founded in 1948 and the family is avidly against franchise agreements or partnerships with third parties.

ISIS warns they already have terror cells in fifteen states, yet IN-N-Out Burger is still only in four. #PointsMe
— Tommy Campbell (@MrTommyCampbell) May 6, 2015

Scammer Sold $4M of Fake In-N-Out Burger Franchises in Middle East

The Middle East might have Magnolia and Shake Shack, but In-N-Out Burger was a sham.