Major Real Estate Fraud Ring Uncovered in Tetouan, Morocco; 21 Arrested Including Notary and Ex-Mayors

In Tetouan, the vast real estate fraud case involving several million dirhams has not yet reached its conclusion. Prosecuted for "fraud," "forgery and use of forgeries," "selling the same apartment to different people on several occasions," but also for "falsification" of documents and "conclusion of official acts under dubious circumstances," the 21 people involved in this case are to appear before a judge at the Tetouan Court of Appeal on Wednesday, April 17, reports the daily Al Akhbar. Only two of them had been acquitted at first instance, while the other 19 received criminal sentences ranging from 5 to 7 years in prison. Among them are "a well-known notary in the region as well as his wife, adouls, commune presidents who have succeeded each other in the neighboring seaside resort of Martil, as well as a real estate developer." Three of the people involved in this case are on the run and have been convicted in absentia. The real estate developer is being prosecuted in detention, the others in provisional release.

This case has been pending before the Tetouan courts since 2018. The members of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) are carefully examining it. The CSPJ had ordered an inspection team to the Tetouan court, before entrusting this file to another Court, chaired by another magistrate. Dozens of people are the victims of this vast fraud operation, in connection with a real estate project.