Phone scam network dismantled between Guercif and Laâyoune

Sunday 19 April 2026 - 11:00

Police services in Guercif, in coordination with authorities in Laâyoune, have arrested five individuals aged between 32 and 44 suspected of involvement in a large-scale phone scam and identity theft operation.

The operation was carried out following precise intelligence provided by Morocco’s domestic intelligence service, the Directorate General for Territorial Surveillance (DGST).

According to initial investigations, the suspects contacted victims by phone while posing as representatives of public institutions. They claimed to offer access to social assistance programs in order to trick victims into revealing their banking information.

The collected data was then allegedly used to illegally withdraw money directly from victims’ bank accounts.

Technical investigations and field surveillance enabled authorities to identify and locate the suspects, leading to their arrest. One of the individuals was also found to be subject to a national arrest warrant issued by the Royal Gendarmerie in Oujda in connection with a separate violent incident.

The suspects have been placed under judicial investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office, which is working to determine possible links to wider criminal networks.

Authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing, as security services continue to examine the full scope of the operation.

This case is part of broader efforts led by Moroccan security agencies to combat fraud networks exploiting communication technologies to deceive citizens.

Officials also reiterated a public warning: no official institution requests banking details by phone.