Online Begging Surges in Morocco During Ramadan

Single mothers, sick children, underprivileged families, charitable associations... Many profiles are asking for alms during Ramadan through social media posts. Some ask for the "Zakat", food baskets or claim to be NGOs working for the most destitute in remote areas, while others have big eyes: they launch appeals to finance "Omras" or to collect large sums of money to finance surgical operations or expensive treatments.

Online begging is thus growing during Ramadan. The phenomenon raises questions. Fouad Yakoubi, social psychologist and secretary general of the National Organization for Psychosocial Support and Empowerment, believes that emotion and empathy are subtly and strikingly exploited, particularly through the use of poignant images that directly touch the subconscious. "The visuals are carefully chosen, triggering an immediate emotional response linked to human empathy, where the suffering of others awakens an instinctive need to help. [...] The visual impact acts directly on the subconscious, cutting short any rational reflection and fueling an impulse for immediate action," he explains.

Yakoubi assures that the rise of online begging during the month of Ramadan results from a combination of social factors (generosity, a central value), economic factors (galloping inflation and the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic) and technological factors (the omnipresence of social networks). These elements make this form of solicitation more accessible, visible and often more effective than traditional direct methods, he says. How to put an end to this phenomenon? The expert recommends raising public awareness of the dangers of online begging, in particular through awareness campaigns. "It is also necessary to encourage donations only through secure and recognized platforms and to encourage the verification of the veracity of requests for assistance," he suggests.

For Yakoubi, it is necessary to tighten the laws to deal with this phenomenon and protect citizens. Ramadan should be an opportunity to strengthen genuine solidarity ties, not to promote impostures, he insists.

The phenomenon is growing even though it is punishable by the Moroccan Penal Code. "Begging is an old phenomenon. With the advent of social networks and their ability to reach a significant number of people in record time, the phenomenon of so-called electronic begging is causing greater damage and reaching a population more exposed to these deviations, easily manipulable. Moroccan legislation criminalizes traditional begging," says Mehdi Fodda, a lawyer at the Casablanca bar, in an interview with Le Matin.

According to Articles 326-333 of the Moroccan Penal Code, begging is punishable by 3 months to 3 years if the beggar uses a weapon or other means to commit crimes or offenses. For Fodda, it is necessary to review the legislation due to the evolution of social networks and the growing scale of the phenomenon. "Social networks and the advent of AI are giving online begging a head start on the evolution of the law and its adaptation to reality. Notwithstanding the current system in Morocco, it is important to update the legislation so that it is in line with the requirements of the world of social networks and digital, in order to limit the harmful impacts of these practices," he assures.

The legal expert also suggests setting up specialized services as well as technical and human means to track, monitor and repress offenders. He urges citizens who detect suspicious activities to report the pages or advertisers in order to limit the spread of these illegal practices.