Morocco: A Female Banker Flees With Client Funds

The Rabat financial crimes court is examining a large-scale fraud case. An executive who has worked for thirteen years at a branch in the El Manzeh district is accused of embezzling at least 3.6 million dirhams. As reported by the daily newspaper Al Akhbar, it was repeated complaints from clients, puzzled by suspicious movements on their statements, that triggered an internal audit. The general inspection discovered that the employee falsified computer data to illegally drain accounts.

On Bladi.net : Moroccan Bank Employee Arrested for $120,000 Client Account Theft in Dakhla

Sensing suspicion closing in on her, the suspect hastily left the country for Turkey. This escape attempt came to an end upon her return to the country. The manager was intercepted by investigators as she disembarked at Mohammed V airport in Casablanca. Brought before the investigating judge, she was placed in provisional detention at El Arjat prison, in Salé, facing serious charges including embezzlement of public funds, falsification of official documents, and manipulation of computer systems.

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This major scandal is part of a dark streak for the local banking sector. Capital police recently had to handle three similar cases affecting branches in Salé, Témara, and Rabat. For example, the former director of a branch in the Agdal district is currently serving a prison sentence. With the help of colleagues also behind bars, she had managed to fraudulently transfer 800,000 dirhams to the bank accounts of her husband and daughter.