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Alleged Radio Stunt: Faked On-Air Robbery for Ratings Boost, Moroccan Authorities Say

Alleged Radio Stunt: Faked On-Air Robbery for Ratings Boost, Moroccan Authorities Say
Tuesday 26 March 2024 - 11:23
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Moroccan authorities have made a startling claim, asserting that the dramatic on-air robbery featured on last week's "Momo Morning Show" on Hit Radio was not a genuine event but a meticulously orchestrated stunt aimed at enhancing the program's ratings.

During the supposed incident, a caller, purporting to be a listener, suddenly exclaimed "a thief, a thief!" while conversing with host Mohamed Bousfiha, popularly known as Momo. This triggered immediate concern and prompted swift intervention from law enforcement.

However, according to a statement from Morocco's General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), the call was a deliberate fabrication. Over the weekend, Casablanca police initiated an inquiry "to identify all individuals involved in concocting a fictitious crime and disseminating false information, which undermines the public's sense of security."

Authorities allege that the deceptive caller assumed a false identity and collaborated with at least one accomplice to fabricate the robbery scene. Their motivation, as per police findings, was driven by "personal gain" and the desire to inflate the audience figures for Hit Radio's morning show.

"The investigation conducted by the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance revealed that the caller had adopted a false identity and concocted a fictional robbery scenario," stated the DGSN. "This scheme was devised for personal gain and to boost the radio station's listenership."

Law enforcement authorities emphasize the gravity of the on-air hoax. Digital forensic examinations are presently underway "to ascertain the potential incitement or pre-coordination between the suspects and the program team that received the call." Those implicated could face charges related to false crime reporting and endangering public security.

As the investigation progresses, significant questions linger regarding the orchestrators of the ruse and whether Hit Radio personnel were complicit in this audacious attempt to manipulate listeners for ratings. What initially appeared as a harmless radio prank now carries serious implications, with potential legal ramifications for all involved.


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