Two Brothers Arrested in Visa Scam and Human Trafficking Case
Two brothers have been arrested in Casablanca over a visa scam that tricked women into setting up fake businesses, which were then used to buy cars on credit.
Morocco's National Brigade of Judicial Police caught the pair, aged 35 and 40, on Friday. One of them is already known to the authorities.
Police say the men lured women by offering to help them get Schengen visas for travel to Europe. But instead of travel documents, the women found themselves unknowingly listed as company owners. Their personal documents and cheques were used to purchase at least 20 vehicles, which were later sold illegally.
So far, three victims have been identified, but police believe more may be involved.
The case comes as Morocco ranks fourth worldwide for Schengen visa applications, behind only China, India and Turkey. In 2024, Moroccans submitted over 606,000 applications, despite growing frustration over the process.
Many applicants say it's become nearly impossible to book visa appointments through official channels. Intermediaries have flooded the system, snapping up slots and reselling them for thousands of dirhams.
Moroccan YouTuber Bilal Fraiha recently spoke out on social media, saying he was asked to pay MAD 4,000 ($400) just to book an appointment that's supposed to be free. Others say they've been charged as much as MAD 6,000 ($600).
Fraiha urged the authorities to crack down on the black market in visa appointments, calling the situation 'unacceptable.'
Meanwhile, police are still investigating the Casablanca case, searching for other suspects who may be linked to the network.
The two men remain in custody as the inquiry continues. Tags: Bilal FraihaCasablancavisa fraudVisa Scams
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
7 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Paris court upholds life sentence for Mohamed Lamine Aberouz in terror case
The special assize court of Paris upheld the life sentence of Mohamed Lamine Aberouz on appeal this Saturday, June 21, imposing a minimum term of twenty-two years. The verdict confirms the initial ruling, which found the French-Moroccan defendant guilty of complicity in the murder of a public official, complicity in the kidnapping of a minor under 15, and involvement in a terrorist conspiracy. The double murder, which took place on June 13, 2016, targeted a police couple in their home in Magnanville (Yvelines). Now 31 years old, Aberouz was represented by lawyers Vincent Brengarth and Nino Arnaud, who confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that they intend to appeal to the Court of Cassation. Before the verdict was delivered, Aberouz addressed the families of Jessica Schneider and Jean-Baptiste Salvaing, the two victims killed by Larossi Abballa, insisting that he bore «no responsibility» for the attack and claiming that the assailant had «deceived» him about his jihadist plans. He also reiterated his «firm and absolute condemnation» of the attack. On the day of the murders, Jessica Schneider was killed in her home in front of her 3-year-old son. Her partner, Jean-Baptiste Salvaing, was stabbed nine times shortly afterward as he returned home. The attacker, Larossi Abballa, was a friend of Aberouz.
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
FAR drone strikes Polisario vehicle near Sand Wall
A Royal Armed Forces (FAR) drone struck a Polisario vehicle on Thursday, June 19. «The operation took place in the Karzaze region, near Mijek, east of the Sand Wall. The outcome of the strike remains unknown for now», a source familiar with the matter told Yabiladi. According to the same source, the Polisario elements had first crossed into Mauritanian territory clandestinely, intending to carry out an operation against Moroccan positions, before being targeted by the FAR drone. However, a Polisario-affiliated media outlet offered a different version of events, claiming the Moroccan drone targeted a «civilian vehicle» in the same area. It's worth noting that FAR drones had already targeted Polisario vehicles in Karzaze on May 29. This latest operation comes just 24 hours after Brahim Ghali presided over the graduation ceremony of a new cohort of the Front's armed militias on Wednesday.
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Spanish Police Bust Major Morocco-Spain Migrant and Drug Trafficking Ring
Rabat – Spanish police, in cooperation with Europol, announced the successful dismantling of a criminal network operating between Morocco and Spain. The group was involved in trafficking at least 200 Moroccan migrants as well as significant quantities of drugs, including hashish and hallucinogenic pills. According to Spanish media reports, the traffickers used fiberglass boats, frequently piloted by minors, to transport both migrants and narcotics across the Strait of Gibraltar. These operations are known as 'mixed cargo,' referring to the simultaneous smuggling of people and drugs. The criminal network was primarily based in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Algeciras (Cádiz). Migrants were offered a comprehensive 'package' that included transportation, accommodation, and other logistical support. The fees charged for these services could reach as high as € 14,600 (MAD 160,600) per person. Authorities estimate that the human trafficking activities alone generated profits exceeding € 2.5 million (MAD 27.5 million). The police operation led to the arrest of eight suspects, including one minor. During the raids, law enforcement seized 22 kilograms of hashish and 10,800 clonazepam pills, commonly used in the manufacture of hallucinogenic substances. One of the main searches took place in Ceuta's El Príncipe neighborhood, an area known for high criminal activity. Investigations revealed that migrants were temporarily housed in the Moroccan town of Fnideq before being transported by sea to Ceuta. The journeys were carried out on poorly maintained boats or, in some cases, migrants crossed swimming while using jet skis for assistance. Until full payment was received, the migrants were kept in what were described as 'secure apartments.' The boats used in these operations were heavily overloaded and lacked any safety measures, making the trips extremely dangerous for all involved. Control of the network was centered around two main figures: one residing in Ibiza and the other in Ceuta. These leaders oversaw both the financial management and strategic planning of the trafficking operations. Both, along with a third suspect, have been placed under provisional detention pending further investigation. Tags: ceutadrug traffickingSpainSpanish police
