Moroccan Real Estate Scam: Association President’s Sentence Increased to 5 Years

The president of an association in Harhoura was sentenced on appeal to 5 years in prison for real estate fraud, reports the daily Al Akhbar. A heavier sentence than in the first instance. In addition to the association president, the treasurer was also convicted. She was sentenced to two years in prison. The two officials were also fined 500 dirhams each and must reimburse the 138 victims of this real estate scam.

It all started with a real estate project "Basma" renamed "the wedding house". Launched in Temara in 2013 by H.M. and his associates, this project had seduced many potential buyers, as the advertising posters gave them a lot to see. But the first and second phases of the residential project expected in Harhoura never became a reality, even though the members had deposited around 40 million dirhams. The president of the association had tried to justify the delay in the start of the project’s work, without convincing. The victims understood the deception and brought the case to court.