Marrakech: A dishonest translator robs an American investor of her real estate

The case, revealed by the Higher Council of the Judiciary, concerns an American citizen who met the suspect during a stay in the United States. Wishing to invest in Morocco, she had been accompanied by this individual to finalize a real estate transaction in the ochre city, relying on him to ensure the linguistic interface.

Not mastering either Arabic or French, the buyer left the suspect to act as a translator during the signing of the deed. Taking advantage of this position, the man altered the content of the translation to make her believe in an equal acquisition, while he was illegally registering himself as a buyer on the official contract.

According to the elements of the file, the legislation only authorizes the use of an unsworn translator if the latter has no direct interest in the contract. By establishing himself as a stakeholder in the sale, the defendant has violated the strict legal provisions governing the formalization of deeds.

In addition to the prosecution for fraud and forgery targeting the translator, the notary is also implicated. He is accused of having allowed a person with a direct interest in the contract to act as a translator without having taken an oath, whereas he should have been excluded from this mission.