Gulf Nationals Targeted in Moroccan Sextortion Scheme, Four Arrested

It all started with a proposal for virtual sexual relations via Instagram made by a blackmailer — who took on a false identity — to a Qatari national, reports Assabah. The latter was forced to transfer money to several individuals who threatened to disseminate a compromising video on a pornographic website or on social networks. The Khaliji made several money transfers amounting to 10,000 DH from his smartphone, but the blackmailers’ threats continued. He then decided to file a complaint with the public prosecutor’s office.

Thanks to the services of telephone operators, a money transfer agency and the Instagram company, the elements of the anti-cybercrime and anti-gang brigades managed to identify the accused. They arrested an individual residing in Beni Mellal. He was responsible for receiving the first two money transfers made by the Qatari national in exchange for a commission of 1,500 DH. He told the investigators that the mastermind of the network, barely 19 years old, received the rest of the money and was helped by his 29-year-old older brother.

Several Khaliji nationals have been victims of blackmail by the network. This network extorted them a sum of 150,000 DH over a period of five months. The investigators arrested the gang leader in Oued Zem and the fourth accused in Casablanca. The latter worked in a money transfer agency in Hay Farah. After their arrest, they were brought before the Correctional Chamber by the King’s Prosecutor near the Court of First Instance in Marrakech.