Hajj Visa Fraud Busted: Three Arrested in Morocco's Marrakech and Fez
In a sweeping operation conducted by the regional judicial police brigade of Marrakech, in coordination with their counterparts in Fez and with the support of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), three individuals, including a woman and a public official, were apprehended for their alleged involvement in a hajj visa fraud scheme.
The suspects stand accused of duping numerous individuals by promising them exceptional visas to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca. Initial investigations suggest that the perpetrators capitalized on the high demand for visas during the peak season, orchestrating an elaborate scam that involved charging substantial sums of money in exchange for counterfeit visas.
The raids carried out at the suspects' residences unveiled a trove of incriminating evidence. Among the seized items were checkbooks, copies of identification documents and passports belonging to third parties. Furthermore, a substantial amount of cash, bank deposit receipts, and records of money transfers suspected to be linked to this criminal activity were uncovered. Notably, the investigators also stumbled upon colored papers mimicking banknotes, likely used to deceive the victims.
Currently, the three individuals are being held in custody, and a judicial investigation is underway under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office. Authorities are working to ascertain the full extent of the fraud and identify all potential victims ensnared in this elaborate scheme.
The crackdown on this visa fraud operation underscores the unwavering commitment of Moroccan law enforcement agencies to safeguard the integrity of the sacred pilgrimage and protect the rights of unsuspecting citizens. As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain resolute in their pursuit of justice and upholding the rule of law.
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