Morocco Launches Major Probe into $78 Million Import Fraud Scheme

Information from the risk control and prevention department - directly attached to the general management of the Office - has led to the opening of an in-depth investigation. Investigators are examining bank transfers totaling approximately 780 million dirhams, reports Hespress. Several importers allegedly used false invoices and forged transfer certificates, particularly for goods from Asian countries such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam. Inspectors from the Office des Changes have discovered that nearly half of the amounts were transferred through official banking channels.

As for the other half, it is believed to have been paid in local currencies through intermediaries based in these countries, thus allowing for a reduction in customs duties to be paid. Moroccan intermediaries operating in exporting countries, particularly in China, are suspected of resorting to illegal exchange practices. They provide considerable sums in yuan in exchange for Moroccan dirhams. Thus, the banking documents provided by some importers to customs to justify transfers to their suppliers are far from reflecting the real value of the goods.

To carry out this extensive control operation, the Office des Changes has contacted counterpart institutions in the exporting countries of the products under review. The institution seeks to gather information on the transactions of Moroccan companies with their suppliers and to trace the path of funds transferred as part of commercial transactions to bank accounts located in other countries, more easily accessible by Moroccan importers. It has also requested the expertise of customs controllers and international databases to exchange with these institutions.

Another action: an inventory and audit are underway regarding banking authorizations to make transfers abroad as part of imports, for the period preceding the discovery of fraud involving a banking group and relating to illegal transfers with forged authorizations. The Office des Changes is also relying on data provided by the General Tax Directorate (DGI) to verify the legal and tax situation of the importing companies under investigation. According to the DGI, there are anomalies in the declarations relating to the turnover and profits of the companies concerned.