A new form of scam is rampant in Marrakech

– bySaid · 1 min read
A new form of scam is rampant in Marrakech

A new fraud method is being used by unlicensed tourist guides in Marrakech to circumvent the authorities’ checks.

These guides now present fake medical documents to avoid arrests, a stratagem that follows an incident that occurred a few months ago.

It all started with a tragic incident. An unlicensed guide, who suffered from diabetes, had been apprehended by the tourist police on Jamaa El-Fna square. Following his arrest, he had a seizure before passing away a few days later, even though he had been sentenced to a prison term. This sad affair has given some ideas to others.

Since then, many fraudulent guides have obtained fake medical certificates attesting to chronic illnesses such as diabetes or asthma. They present them to the law enforcement during checks to avoid detention. According to an informed source, this method has even become a source of pride among the individuals who use it.

Faced with this fraud that harms the image of the ochre city, the Moroccan justice system has decided to crack down, and the authorities remain particularly vigilant. Indeed, the vast majority of tourist guides operating without a license and apprehended are prosecuted under arrest before being sentenced to firm prison terms. A policy of firmness that this new combination seeks to thwart.