Morocco Banking Fraud Network Sentenced Paris 740000 Euros

The criminal court sentenced Mounir Outachfine to six years in prison and 100,000 euros in fines. Nicknamed the "padrino," he ran this long-distance scam via Telegram messaging. According to BFM, this network leader is very likely in Morocco. Absent during his trial, he is now the subject of an arrest warrant.

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Eight of the ten other defendants received sentences ranging from six months to four years in prison, most with suspended sentences. The group operated with specific roles: operators, couriers, buyers, and drivers. Joëlle Dudal, a retiree who lost 4,100 euros, says she is "disillusioned, but not disappointed" after this verdict. But faced with the uncertain solvency of the scammers, she doubts: "But who will pay?"

Their modus operandi consisted of sending an SMS alerting of fraudulent purchases to push the target to call a fake banking service. Kept on the line, the victim had to cut their card in half while preserving the chip, then slip it into an envelope while providing their secret code. A fake courier would retrieve the envelope so an accomplice could empty the accounts at ATMs or major retailers.

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These 148 thefts were committed between April 2022 and April 2023, often outside banking hours. Legislation normally requires financial institutions to reimburse unauthorized transactions. However, the voluntary disclosure of the confidential code constitutes gross negligence in the eyes of many banks, leaving victims helpless in the face of lack of support from their branches.