Moroccan Police Bust Visa Fraud Ring, Arrest Five in Immigration Crackdown

The Casablanca police elements arrested five individuals, including a minor and a woman from a sub-Saharan country, at Mohammed V Airport in the Anfa district and in Témara, for crimes related to the illicit trafficking of migrants and for forgery of official documents, reports Al Akhbar. In a statement, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) states that four people aged between 16 and 50, including two repeat offenders already convicted of drug trafficking, were arrested for their alleged involvement in a network of illegal immigration, forgery and use of forgery.

While they were about to board their flight, two suspects possessing false residence permits issued in two European countries were arrested at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport. The BNPJ elements then managed to identify and arrest the two other members of this network in Témara. During the search of their place of residence, the investigators discovered several devices, equipment and documents related to this traffic. They also proceeded to seize a vehicle, administrative documents, a forged residence permit, a driver’s license, stamps and six mobile phones, as well as plane tickets. Pending the completion of the investigation conducted under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office, the members of the network were placed in pre-trial detention. Their minor companion was, for his part, placed under judicial control. They will be brought before the Public Prosecutor’s Office on Monday.

The arrest of the woman from a sub-Saharan country took place in Casablanca following a complaint for fraud. This woman in her thirties of sub-Saharan origin made her victims believe that she could not only help them emigrate but also get them hired in football clubs in Europe. The loot amounts to one million dirhams.